Lions Throwback Uniforms: Detroit Lions Uniform History and Helmet
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 25th 2026
- Lions throwback uniforms include the 1950s and 1960s looks and the 2023 blue helmet with the 1960s logo.
- Detroit Lions jersey history began in 1934 with Honolulu blue and silver; Nike makes the current set.
- The Portsmouth Spartans became the Detroit Lions in 1934.
- Honolulu blue and silver have been the team colors since 1934, except for 1948 to 1950.
- The Lions have played on Thanksgiving every year since 1934 except 1939 to 1944.
- The 2024 set introduced "One Pride," "the 313" and "Motor City Muscle."
This guide covers the main looks of the Detroit Lions from 1934 to 2026. It does not list every pants and sock combination.
Lions uniform timeline
| Year | Change | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Honolulu blue and silver | Set the look the Lions still use |
| 1948–1950 | Scarlet and black | A short break under coach Bo McMillin |
| 1956 | TV numbers on sleeves | First broadcast-era change |
| 1994 | 1935-style throwbacks league-wide | Worn across the NFL |
| 2003 | Black trim added | Black facemasks followed |
| 2005 | Black alternate jersey | Replaced in 2009 by the throwback |
| 2009 | New logo and uniforms | Unveiled April 20 |
| 2017 | Black removed from identity | New uniforms April 13 |
| 2024 | "One Pride," "the 313," "Motor City Muscle" | Current set |
| 2026 | "Defend the Den" Rivalries jersey | Unveiled August 25 |
The Lions jerseys 2026 guide shows which of these looks the team wears this year.
Spartans and Lions (1928 to 1947)
The team began as the Portsmouth Spartans in Portsmouth, Ohio in 1928. In 1934 it moved to Detroit and became the Lions. Owner George A. Richards chose Honolulu blue and silver, an idea credited to player Glenn Presnell and his wife. Silver helmets, silver pants and blue or white jerseys have been the basic look ever since.
Honolulu blue and silver through the years (1948 to 2008)
The only big break came from 1948 to 1950, when coach Bo McMillin switched the team to scarlet and black. TV numbers arrived on the sleeves in 1956, and in 1972 numbers got outlines. A 1982 change reversed the number colors on the blue jersey and in 1984 silver facemasks became blue. In 1998 Detroit tried blue pants with white jerseys and gray socks, dropped after one season. Black entered in 2003, with black trim and facemasks, and a black alternate jersey in 2005.
Throwbacks and Thanksgiving
Detroit has played on Thanksgiving since 1934, excluding 1939 to 1944. The Lions wore 1950s-style throwbacks on Thanksgiving from 2001 to 2004. In 2008 they wore a throwback for the 75th anniversary, and in 2009 the throwback became the permanent alternate, replacing the black jersey. In 2023 the team debuted a blue alternate helmet with the 1960s logo, its first blue helmet since 1955.
Special patches and memorial marks
Detroit has used patches to mark moments. In 2017 it added "WCF" to the left sleeve for William Clay Ford. In 2023 a 90th-season patch went on the jerseys. In 2024 the WCF decal moved to the helmet. These small details are on authentic and Elite jerseys, so check the product page for the patches on the style you buy.
The modern set (2009 to today)
The 2009 redesign came with a new logo on April 20. In 2017 the team removed black from its identity and unveiled new uniforms on April 13, including a white jersey with blue pants for the first time since 1998. On April 18, 2024 Detroit unveiled a set called "One Pride" at home, "the 313" on the road and "Motor City Muscle" in black. The memorial decal for William Clay Ford was added to the helmet. On August 25, 2026 the team showed its Rivalries jersey, "Defend the Den."
Lions throwbacks you can wear today
The Lions have not announced a throwback game for 2026 that we could find. For current colors, shop the home and away jerseys. The black style is in the Lions alternate jerseys, and the newest design is the Rivalries jersey. The numbers worn by Lions greats are in the Lions jersey numbers guide. Everything is in the Detroit Lions jerseys collection.
Lions helmet history
The Detroit Lions helmet has been silver since the franchise moved to Detroit in 1934, apart from the scarlet and black period of 1948 to 1950. Facemasks were silver until 1984, when they turned blue, and in 2003 the team switched them to black alongside black trim on the logo. On June 21, 2023 the Lions debuted a blue alternate helmet with the 1960s logo, the first blue helmet since 1955. In 2024 the William Clay Ford memorial decal was added to the helmets. The Rivalries jersey of 2026 pairs with an alternate blue helmet, according to reports. The Detroit Lions helmet, new helmet and black helmet searches lead to these changes.
Lions throwback uniforms were worn on Thanksgiving from 2001 to 2004 in a 1950s style, and in 2008 for the 75th anniversary. The throwback became the permanent alternate in 2009. Read the Lions uniforms 2026 guide. The full logo story is in the logo history guide. Browse the Lions alternate jerseys and the legends jerseys. For the color codes, see the colors guide.
Fans also search for “detroit lions helmet”, “lions helmet”, “detroit lions football helmet”, “lions helmets”, “detroit lions helmet logo”, “detroit lions uniform history”, “lions black helmet”, “lions helmet logo”, “detroit lions helmets” and “detroit lions new helmet”. All of them lead to the answers on this page.
Lions uniform history FAQ
What are the Lions' original colors?
Honolulu blue and silver, chosen in 1934.
Did the Lions ever wear scarlet and black?
Yes, from 1948 to 1950 under coach Bo McMillin.
When did the Lions add black?
Black trim came in 2003 and a black alternate in 2005. It was removed in 2017 and returned as an alternate in 2024.
What is the Lions' latest uniform?
"Defend the Den," a Rivalries jersey unveiled August 25, 2026.