The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys have long hosted games on Thanksgiving Day. Here is why those NFL teams are a vital part of the holiday.

According to Princeton University, Princeton and Yale played each other in football in 1876, and the game would become a tradition until 1893. When professional football sprouted up in the early 20th century, Thanksgiving games did as well.

The Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving tradition dates back to 1934, when the franchise moved to the Motor City. The Lions are 37-45-2 in Thanksgiving games.