The Detroit Lions play Cleveland in 1961. Image via Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Emily Bingham | ebingham@mlive.com

25 vintage photos of the Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are one of the NFL's oldest franchises, dating all the way back to 1934 (though here's a fun bit of trivia for true fans: before it was bought and moved to the Motor City, the team actually got its start in 1929 as the "Portsmouth Spartans" in Portsmouth, Ohio). These photos from the "Virtual Detroit" collection at Wayne State's Walter P. Reuther Library give a peek into this historic team's past.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

In 1938, the Detroit Tigers' home turf, Navin Field, was renamed Briggs Stadium. The Lions shared that same field until 1974.

In this 1938 photo, workers mark the field at Briggs for football.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

An undated aerial shot of Briggs Stadium (which would eventually become Tiger Stadium) during a football game.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Abe Kushner, Detroit Lions trainer, with Roy "Friday" Macklem, the team's longtime equipment manager, in an undated photo.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Clare Randolph played on the first-ever Lions team in 1934, having been part of the Portsmouth Spartans before the team was bought and moved to Detroit. He began his career playing for the Chicago Cardinals in 1930. This photo was snapped in 1934.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

In this photo from October 1942, the Lions play the Brooklyn Dodgers — a team that never rebounded after losing too many players and fans during WWII. The Dodgers would leave the NFL three years after this photo was taken.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

The Lions play the Chicago Cardinals (yes, they were called the Cardinals from 1920 to 1959) on September 10, 1939.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

William "Moon" Baker was the man behind one of the Detroit Lions' first two mascots. He spent 27 years in the role, until his son, Bill, took on mascot duties in 1960. This image was shot in September 1942.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Blanche Verhougstraete played the part of the Lion's "cub" alongside Moon Baker for decades. Photo from 1942.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

The two Lions' mascots in 1942.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

An end-zone pileup in a 1956 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Halfback John Pingel was drafted by the Lions in 1939, but he's most remembered for his record-setting years at Michigan State, where he set the still-standing NCAA record for most punting yards in a single season (4,138 yards).

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Heisman Trophy winner Leon Hart, who played collegiate football for the University of Notre Dame, was the first overall draft pick in the 1950 NFL draft — and the Lions nabbed him. He played for the Lions for eight seasons, and helped take the team all the way to three of the Lions' four NFL championships.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Texas-born defensive end Bill Glass was drafted by the Lions in 1957 and played four seasons in Detroit before heading to Cleveland to play for the Browns.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

A blocked punt in a December 1960 game against the Green Bay Packers.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Another blocked punt, this time against Cleveland in 1961.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

A "squeeze play" in a 1970 game against San Francisco. According to the Walter P. Reuther Library, this photo hangs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

The 1936 Detroit Lions atop Webster Hall on West Warren Avenue (the building was demolished in 1991).

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

William Clay Ford owned the Lions from 1963 until 2014 (his widow, Martha Firestone Ford, is now at the helm). In this 1978 photo, he sits down for a chat with legendary Detroit broadcaster J.P. McCarthy on WDIV's "Meet the Lions" show.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Detroit Lions Dick Stanfel, Bobby Lane, and Jim Martin, September 1953.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Joe Schmidt was team captain for nine of the 13 years he played for the Lions; he was added to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Running back and Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims (pictured here, carrying the ball) played for the Lions for four years in the early 1980s, during which time he earned the nickname "Kung Fu Billy Sims" for this mid-air, karate-kick-style move during a game against the Houston Oilers.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

A muddy December 1957 game against Cleveland.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Touchdown! From that same 1957 game against Cleveland.

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Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Emily Bingham | ebingham@mlive.com

Note the camera capturing the action just below the receiver's arm in this shot from the 1957 — maybe capturing a few of the photos in this collection.

More on the Detroit Lions:

Meet the Detroit Lions cheerleaders ahead of the 2016 home opener

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