Discover Detroit’s football legacy at the Gridiron Heroes Exhibition featuring the Detroit Lions. Dive into history and engage with interactive exhibits.

Image courtesy of The Detroit Lions, Gilbert Family Foundation, and Visit Detroit

August 24, 2024–August 24, 2025

NOW OPEN on the second level in the City of Champions Gallery

Before 1934, several professional football teams had tried and failed to gain a foothold in the city of Detroit. But the Lions endeared themselves to football fans immediately that year, logging ten wins in the team’s first ten games in their trademark blue and silver uniforms. The excitement of that first campaign was capped off the following season, when the Lions won their first NFL Championship and cemented themselves as a Detroit institution for the next 90 years and counting. 

In partnership with the Detroit Lions andĀ showcasingĀ artifacts from both the team’s collection and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, thisĀ exhibition will explore theĀ franchise’sĀ roots and theĀ NFLĀ ofĀ theĀ 1930s, period of dominance in the 1950s, Hall of Fame-level star power players, and the Dan Campbell-led gritty Lions of today.Ā Ā 

Football enthusiasts and history buffs alike have a unique opportunity to explore the rich heritage of one of the NFL’s storied franchises, the Detroit Lions. From August 24, 2024, to August 24, 2025, the Detroit Historical Museum is hosting the “Detroit Lions: Gridiron Heroes” exhibition in the City of Champions Gallery on the second level.

This exhibition is a celebration of the Detroit Lions’ enduring legacy, tracing back to their inception in 1934. Before the Lions established themselves, several professional football teams attempted, unsuccessfully, to make Detroit their home. However, the Lions quickly captured the hearts of locals with an impressive ten-game winning streak in their inaugural season. It was a remarkable start that set the foundation for their first NFL Championship win in the following year, embedding the Lions into the fabric of Detroit’s sports culture.

The “Detroit Lions: Gridiron Heroes” exhibition offers visitors a comprehensive look into the franchise’s evolution, featuring memorabilia from the team’s own collection and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It highlights the Lions’ period of dominance in the 1950s, showcases legendary players who’ve donned the iconic blue and silver uniforms, and brings fans up to speed with today’s team dynamics under the leadership of Dan Campbell.

Presented in partnership with the Detroit Lions, the Gilbert Family Foundation, and Visit Detroit, this exhibition not only recounts the historical triumphs and challenges faced by the Lions but also celebrates the passion and resilience that have fueled the team for over 90 years.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the world of football, the “Detroit Lions: Gridiron Heroes” exhibition is a must-visit, offering an engaging exploration of the Lions’ impact on Detroit and the broader NFL landscape.

Keywords: Detroit, football, Detroit Lions, Gridiron Heroes Exhibition, sports culture

#DetroitLions #GridironHeroesExhibition #FootballLegacy

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