Detroit Lions WCF jersey patch pays homage to legendary figure

The Detroit Lions play the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving with a 'WCF' patch as a tribute to former owner.

HTML The Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Tradition

Every year on Thanksgiving, the Detroit Lions take to the field at Ford Field, continuing a tradition that has been in place since 1934. During the game, you may notice a unique 'WCF' jersey patch on the left sleeve of the Lions' uniform. This patch is a tribute to an important figure in the franchise's history - former team owner William Clay Ford, who passed away in 2014.

William Clay Ford, known as WCF, was the youngest grandson of Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company. He owned the Lions from 1963 until his passing. His daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp, is now the principal owner of the franchise. The 'WCF' initials have been a permanent fixture on the Lions' uniforms since the 2016 season, serving as a tribute to the team's late owner.

As the NFL allows teams to change their uniforms once every five years, there is uncertainty about the future of the 'WCF' sleeve patch. The Lions last updated their uniforms in 2017, and team president Rod Wood recently stated that no decisions have been made about the patch.

Thanksgiving has not always been a victorious day for the Lions, as they hold a 37-44-2 record in their previous 83 Thanksgiving matchups. Their last win on the day was in 2016 against the Minnesota Vikings. However, with an 8-2 record this season, the Lions have a strong chance to break their recent Thanksgiving curse as they take on the 4-6 Green Bay Packers this year.