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.

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.

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.