Love the white on white look for the Bears. It always seemed like the helmets were black in the '70's and early '80's. "Looking for Baschnagel . . . "
This was the first Lions Thanksgiving Day game after I moved back to Michigan at the age of 8. In spite of the result I look back on it fondly. Reminds me of carefree days in elementary school, curled up in front of the television under a blanket in the fall and winter. A warm fire in the fireplace and the smell of Mom's cooking from the kitchen. And
Oh yeah,I remember this one. My first year of watching Lions football,all because of Billy Sims. I never saw an overtime game and when he scored I was" like that's not fare we don't even get get the ball? This is bullshit." I was 12 and in for years of that kind of crap. Great win today over Denver.
ah yes, this was the Thanksgiving day when my Lions fan brother unleashed a steady stream of swear words as the Bears ran back the overtime kickoff for the game winning score. i think the Lions may have heard my brother's curses from our house in the southern suburbs of Detroit all the way to the Pontiac Silverdome.
I remember this game quite well. This game rarely gets brought up when memorable Thanksgiving games are mentioned. I was in 6th grade at the time and can remember watching this game in the basement of my late parents house along with all of my relatives, including my late brother-in-law who was a die-hard Bears fan. Watching this took me back to that very day. After this, I always looked forward to the football games on Thanksgiving Day.
@robmize We cleared that up 6 months ago. There were 2 "Dave Williams on the Bears" One is the guy who ran it back in OT and he went to Colorado.
The other one was drafted by Ditka in the 1986 in the 3rd round and had gone to Illinois.......He never made it out of training camp....the highest pick that ever happened to the bears. It was big news even though the bears had just won the SB.
Too sickening for words. I ran home from school (in Windsor, Canada - where Thanksgiving is in October, not November) - turned on the TV to catch the end of the Lion's game only to hear Pat Summerall say "Murray's kick is fielded by Williams at the five......" and 15 seconds later, it was all over. I will never forget this - just the beginning of my lifetime love of the Lion's and their constant habit of breaking my heart. However, not this time ..........this is our year, finally.
THis video is difficult to watch for two reasons; 1) It's the first of dozens of times the Lions have broken my heart and 2) It makes me wish I were 8 years old again.
The Pontiac Silverdome was only like 5 years old at the time of this game and now their playing in Ford Field which is almost 10 years old, times go by so fucking fast.
Thanks for posting this. Thanksgiving was snowy in Chicago that year, so I remember playing football in the backyard, then coming inside the house to watch this. The Bears were disappointing after making the playoff in 79, but this made the season a bit more tolerable.
I know the Lions aren't as good as the Lions during the "Barry Sanders" era, but I hope the NFL keeps the Lions and Cowboys on Thanksgiving every year. The tradition does not need to be broken. The NFL Network game provides an opportunity for others to participate. I hope I can see the Jags on Thanksgiving Day, someday.
Fing Lions! Typical Typical Lions! 30 years later we're still suffering here in D-town. How much longer will this insanity go on???? You think this is bad watch the highlights of the New Years Eve game vs San Fransisico in 1983 playoffs! OMG! Typical Lions B.S.!!!
Wow this is old school as you can get! I was 13 years old and my first year getting hooked on the Lions. Billy Sims rookie year, "Another one bites the dust" Bubba Baker, Jimmy Allen "The Spiderman", Leonard Thompson. Bill Gay, Doug English, Kieth Dorney
forget High Definition and instant zoom replays. This was back when NFL broadcasts ruled. I wish CBS & FOX would broadcast games just like this 1980 classic. I hate after every down, CBS shows a screen with footage of their sitcoms, etc. Garbage. Plus The Waltons, Knotts Landing, and Linda in Wonderland are way better than the garbage on TV today anyway.
This is classic thanks for posting!! The 1980 season is the first season where I pretty much remember that year as a 2nd grader. Being a Viking fan (sigh) I remember watching this game with my family as the Vikes needed the Bears to win to help them win the Central. I remember almost being in tears as this game looked over as the Lions were in control. Then the Bears got it going. Probably my favorite Thanksgiving (other than 98 Vikes @ Dallas) game ever!! Thanks Dave Williams!!
@macktenful Vince Evans was the Bears QB. Former USC Trojan. Had a gun for an arm and was Michael Vick like in his running ability but was not the most accurate thrower. He played for a fairly long time in the NFL, usually as a backup QB
@jojopuppyfish It's funny you should say that. After watching these old videos, I've become a Tom Brookshier fan even though I never was able to watch any game live that he was a commentator for because I was too young then.
@jojopuppyfish I don't agree but I remember this game. I think the Bears were down 14 at the half and Jimmy the Greek told Brent Mussberger it would go to OT. I am a Bears fan.
LIons jerseys are so much better than the current version
What does it say for the silverdome turf to have scraped all the paint off Evans' helmet
watch for Dan Hampton in the celebration (#99) his helmet gets ripped off and he supposedly suffered a broken nose. Its clear as day on here and you can see him checking it in subsequent shots
@kieser78 Hmm. The striping is different but the color is technically still Honolulu blue. Maybe its the lighting. The Silverdome was awfully dark. Ford Field features brighter lights, darker turf, and a smaller seating capacity.
@ycdtotv the #s are silver, there are no black accentsand no team (except the bears) should stray from block #s. And the new Lion on the helmet is lame. Nothing to do with the blue color
@kieser78 I like today's white numerals, but agree that the block style should have remained. I also don't like the Lions new black accents on their uniforms. In addition, I liked the old circus-style "LIONS" font better than the new one.
The Bears also look better with their modern blue pants to go with white jerseys.
@ycdtotv have to agree to disagree on the white #s, the silver ties it back to the Bobby Layne days... I am definitely with you on the Lions script in the End Zones.
@kieser78 true that.. The Lions should've held on to their old logo/jerseys.. they were clean. The new, stylized Lion looks blurry & there was no need to replace the classic look. The Cardinals did the same thing a couple seasons back. Their old bird & the plain, dark red jerseys looked good (i thought) & then they came up with an arena football jersey, and stylized the Card, so it looks like a woodpecker now. its lame, the franchises abandon tradtion, just to sell the new jerseys & gear.
Why the hell do they refer to Dave Williams as being from University of Colorado? They do it twice. He's an Illini guy, baby. University of Illinois all the way. The morons.
@unclebobunclebob Because the Dave Williams you are thinking about was a WR from IL that got cut by the bears as a 3rd round pick during the Ditka era.
The above Dave Williams went to U of Colorado
Google "Dave williams" stats from pro football reference
You're right. I'm looking at Williams' 1981 Topps card (Which I think is his only card) College listed as Colorado, and it mentions his kick off return for a TD on the back.
wow look at that oldschool offense the far and the near pro sets nice BRING IT BACK
mrmcdougald1978 1 month ago
the waltons hhahahaha.
conday1990 1 month ago
Love the white on white look for the Bears. It always seemed like the helmets were black in the '70's and early '80's. "Looking for Baschnagel . . . "
hotroute 1 month ago
Had Vince not had that staph infection in 1979 that nearly killed him, he would have been a star QB.
Ariamaluum 1 month ago
I remember watching this like it was yesterday. I can't fathom this was 31 Thanksgivings ago now!!!
BatmanFan1966 3 months ago
And notice that Williams doesn't do some lame dance after scoring. He flips the ball away and trots around to meet his teammates.
GBev2K 3 months ago
@GBev2K that's the first thing i noticed too. wouldn't see that happen today
91achtungbaby 3 months ago
@GBev2K yeah, whatever happened to these days when players had class...
Snowboy2015 3 months ago
This was the first Lions Thanksgiving Day game after I moved back to Michigan at the age of 8. In spite of the result I look back on it fondly. Reminds me of carefree days in elementary school, curled up in front of the television under a blanket in the fall and winter. A warm fire in the fireplace and the smell of Mom's cooking from the kitchen. And
GBev2K 3 months ago
Oh yeah,I remember this one. My first year of watching Lions football,all because of Billy Sims. I never saw an overtime game and when he scored I was" like that's not fare we don't even get get the ball? This is bullshit." I was 12 and in for years of that kind of crap. Great win today over Denver.
Offthbadan 4 months ago
ah yes, this was the Thanksgiving day when my Lions fan brother unleashed a steady stream of swear words as the Bears ran back the overtime kickoff for the game winning score. i think the Lions may have heard my brother's curses from our house in the southern suburbs of Detroit all the way to the Pontiac Silverdome.
vprygoski 4 months ago
I remember this game quite well. This game rarely gets brought up when memorable Thanksgiving games are mentioned. I was in 6th grade at the time and can remember watching this game in the basement of my late parents house along with all of my relatives, including my late brother-in-law who was a die-hard Bears fan. Watching this took me back to that very day. After this, I always looked forward to the football games on Thanksgiving Day.
ThunderRoadMike 4 months ago
Devin hester of the 80's!
Thatcrazykidbrendan 4 months ago
Sadly, this was the first Lions football gave my Dad took me and my brothers to. Ugh.
CArchivist 4 months ago
Remember watching this at my brother's house before Thanksgiving dinner....ruined my darn appetite!!
sprocketman14 4 months ago
When Williams is interviewed after the game, Irv Cross says he's from Colorado. Listen again to the end.
robmize 5 months ago
@robmize We cleared that up 6 months ago. There were 2 "Dave Williams on the Bears" One is the guy who ran it back in OT and he went to Colorado.
The other one was drafted by Ditka in the 1986 in the 3rd round and had gone to Illinois.......He never made it out of training camp....the highest pick that ever happened to the bears. It was big news even though the bears had just won the SB.
jojopuppyfish 5 months ago
...jesus...people were still watching "The Waltons" in 1980?
olofpalme63 5 months ago
Too sickening for words. I ran home from school (in Windsor, Canada - where Thanksgiving is in October, not November) - turned on the TV to catch the end of the Lion's game only to hear Pat Summerall say "Murray's kick is fielded by Williams at the five......" and 15 seconds later, it was all over. I will never forget this - just the beginning of my lifetime love of the Lion's and their constant habit of breaking my heart. However, not this time ..........this is our year, finally.
AceBG27 5 months ago
THis video is difficult to watch for two reasons; 1) It's the first of dozens of times the Lions have broken my heart and 2) It makes me wish I were 8 years old again.
GBev2K 9 months ago
@GBev2K dont worry with suh and fairley the lions will dominate the nfl!!!!!!!!!
im head of the lions fan club of el paso, so far only one member
brucedavis76 9 months ago
The Pontiac Silverdome was only like 5 years old at the time of this game and now their playing in Ford Field which is almost 10 years old, times go by so fucking fast.
ICETVNetwork 10 months ago
You know its a big game when Summerall is talking.
eme456 1 year ago
@eme456 Yes, and I love the part,..."Williams breaks out of the pack".
plntntvzn 9 months ago
Thanks for posting this. Thanksgiving was snowy in Chicago that year, so I remember playing football in the backyard, then coming inside the house to watch this. The Bears were disappointing after making the playoff in 79, but this made the season a bit more tolerable.
ApolloScreed2 1 year ago
I didn't think CBS was still putting all their "main" cameras on the 50 this late.
Today, the plays shown in the first portion of this clip would be shot from a camera aboge the 20 yard line closest to the football.
altfactor 1 year ago
This announcer is the anti-Gus Johnson.
annieprues 1 year ago
So, this is what TV was like in the 80's... I gotta admit, I'm happy I'm a 90's baby. haha.
adam0798 1 year ago
@adam0798 Later 1970s and almost the entire 1980s offerred the best TV coverage!
Fox intro(s) to pre-games and actual games should not even be mentioned "in the same breath" as the content for CBS (as well as NBC)
rcviolet6 1 year ago
I know the Lions aren't as good as the Lions during the "Barry Sanders" era, but I hope the NFL keeps the Lions and Cowboys on Thanksgiving every year. The tradition does not need to be broken. The NFL Network game provides an opportunity for others to participate. I hope I can see the Jags on Thanksgiving Day, someday.
HightowerDH 1 year ago
Around that time when I was quite little, the CBS program I "enjoyed" the most was Trapper John M.D. because of the musical intro.
ultraback29 1 year ago
I'm posting this on early morning Thanksgiving 2010.
Many people don't want to see the Lions on Thanksgiving anymore.
The NFL Network game at night where it's a new site each year pretty much negates the possibility of doing away with "tradition."
But I will say to have the Patriots in a game this year is certainly appropriate given Thanksgiving's origins in New England.
ultraback29 1 year ago
Fing Lions! Typical Typical Lions! 30 years later we're still suffering here in D-town. How much longer will this insanity go on???? You think this is bad watch the highlights of the New Years Eve game vs San Fransisico in 1983 playoffs! OMG! Typical Lions B.S.!!!
PAULNIEM 1 year ago
@PAULNIEM i guess it ends this year lol
joemoma92 4 months ago
Somebody really needs to upload the 61-7 beatdown of GB that year.
richig761 1 year ago
The Lions had a good and up incoming team in 1980 and Da Bears were still stuck in mediocrity
FRSFreeState 1 year ago
Awesome upload!!!!
Wow this is old school as you can get! I was 13 years old and my first year getting hooked on the Lions. Billy Sims rookie year, "Another one bites the dust" Bubba Baker, Jimmy Allen "The Spiderman", Leonard Thompson. Bill Gay, Doug English, Kieth Dorney
UberKrispy 1 year ago
yes, brooksheir was better than motor-mouth madden
graciemaemarie11 1 year ago
I remember watching this game as an 11 year old at my grandparents house in Tulsa on Thanksgiving Day. Wow...how time flies & what great memories.
soonerxx 1 year ago
@jojopuppy
I agree with Brookshier over Madden in the long run. The short term Madden was new and funny... however, it gets lame and nonsensical after a while.
Brookshier was vanilla but he doesn't wear on you as much.
eugenemcgirt 1 year ago
What a treat to see this again after all these years! Thanks for this. You made my day.
thebeastlacey 1 year ago
forget High Definition and instant zoom replays. This was back when NFL broadcasts ruled. I wish CBS & FOX would broadcast games just like this 1980 classic. I hate after every down, CBS shows a screen with footage of their sitcoms, etc. Garbage. Plus The Waltons, Knotts Landing, and Linda in Wonderland are way better than the garbage on TV today anyway.
405Cowboy 1 year ago
This is classic thanks for posting!! The 1980 season is the first season where I pretty much remember that year as a 2nd grader. Being a Viking fan (sigh) I remember watching this game with my family as the Vikes needed the Bears to win to help them win the Central. I remember almost being in tears as this game looked over as the Lions were in control. Then the Bears got it going. Probably my favorite Thanksgiving (other than 98 Vikes @ Dallas) game ever!! Thanks Dave Williams!!
toeazy34 1 year ago
who was the bears qb
macktenful 1 year ago
@macktenful Vince Evans was the Bears QB. Former USC Trojan. Had a gun for an arm and was Michael Vick like in his running ability but was not the most accurate thrower. He played for a fairly long time in the NFL, usually as a backup QB
rickysavesparagain 1 year ago
@rickysavesparagain i Wish They had a Qb like evans vince evans now or vick they need him
macktenful 1 year ago
@rickysavesparagain Late in his career, Evans was great off the bench for the raiders......He was never consistent enough to be a starter.
I wish someone would post that 80 yr pass (in the air) to James Scott back in the day (Or was it ricky Watts)
jojopuppyfish 1 year ago
Tom Brookshier is my all-time favorite CBS color commentator. Always thought NBC had better overall talent in the broadcast booths back then.
7747jc 1 year ago
What the hell kind of turf is that? Green sandpaper?
RobTG 1 year ago
I know its my video but now that I've watched this about 100 times, I actually like Tom Brookshier over John Madden. Does anyone agree?
jojopuppyfish 1 year ago 4
@jojopuppyfish It's funny you should say that. After watching these old videos, I've become a Tom Brookshier fan even though I never was able to watch any game live that he was a commentator for because I was too young then.
wizeman5974 1 year ago
@jojopuppyfish It is a close call for me but I tend to agree. I will say that Madden brought some fun for thanksgiving games with his turkey awards.
giantlew 1 year ago
@jojopuppyfish Yes, I do.
plntntvzn 1 year ago
@jojopuppyfish I don't agree but I remember this game. I think the Bears were down 14 at the half and Jimmy the Greek told Brent Mussberger it would go to OT. I am a Bears fan.
spiderlarry 1 year ago
@jojopuppyfish
Ive always felt that way. Brookshier was the best analyst ever. People today dont know the history of football.
superman93994 1 year ago
@jojopuppyfish: brooksiier teamed up with pat summerall was way better than madden imo....i've always thought that
domirules28 7 months ago
@jojopuppyfish yes loved Brookie. RIP. He was one of the best color guys ever, New the X's and O's but had fun with it too.
IowaRocker1 6 months ago
3 things...
LIons jerseys are so much better than the current version
What does it say for the silverdome turf to have scraped all the paint off Evans' helmet
watch for Dan Hampton in the celebration (#99) his helmet gets ripped off and he supposedly suffered a broken nose. Its clear as day on here and you can see him checking it in subsequent shots
kieser78 1 year ago 2
@kieser78 I never noticed that before with Hampton. Looks like someone accidentally got punched in the face.
jojopuppyfish 1 year ago
@kieser78 Hmm. The striping is different but the color is technically still Honolulu blue. Maybe its the lighting. The Silverdome was awfully dark. Ford Field features brighter lights, darker turf, and a smaller seating capacity.
ycdtotv 1 year ago
@ycdtotv the #s are silver, there are no black accentsand no team (except the bears) should stray from block #s. And the new Lion on the helmet is lame. Nothing to do with the blue color
kieser78 1 year ago
@kieser78 I like today's white numerals, but agree that the block style should have remained. I also don't like the Lions new black accents on their uniforms. In addition, I liked the old circus-style "LIONS" font better than the new one.
The Bears also look better with their modern blue pants to go with white jerseys.
ycdtotv 1 year ago
@ycdtotv have to agree to disagree on the white #s, the silver ties it back to the Bobby Layne days... I am definitely with you on the Lions script in the End Zones.
As for the Bears, they look great either way.
kieser78 1 year ago
@kieser78 true that.. The Lions should've held on to their old logo/jerseys.. they were clean. The new, stylized Lion looks blurry & there was no need to replace the classic look. The Cardinals did the same thing a couple seasons back. Their old bird & the plain, dark red jerseys looked good (i thought) & then they came up with an arena football jersey, and stylized the Card, so it looks like a woodpecker now. its lame, the franchises abandon tradtion, just to sell the new jerseys & gear.
GeorgeWashingtonX 11 months ago
I remember this game because I threw up all over the turkey that day.
I had a killer stomach flu, My family was so pissed!!
ncaafsufan 1 year ago
my bad. Williams of Illinois was drafted in 1983 or thereabouts. Couldn't find THIS williams. About a million guys come up when I google him.
unclebobunclebob 1 year ago
Why the hell do they refer to Dave Williams as being from University of Colorado? They do it twice. He's an Illini guy, baby. University of Illinois all the way. The morons.
unclebobunclebob 1 year ago
@unclebobunclebob Because the Dave Williams you are thinking about was a WR from IL that got cut by the bears as a 3rd round pick during the Ditka era.
The above Dave Williams went to U of Colorado
Google "Dave williams" stats from pro football reference
jojopuppyfish 1 year ago
@jojopuppyfish
You're right. I'm looking at Williams' 1981 Topps card (Which I think is his only card) College listed as Colorado, and it mentions his kick off return for a TD on the back.
quietriotfan1976 1 year ago
Watched this game at my Grandpa and Grandmas.My dad and went crazy after the Bears won.
IowaRocker1 1 year ago
Comment removed
muntzman4sho 1 year ago
The Lions should bring those silver numbered throwbacks back.
dznutz1971 1 year ago
I remember this game. I was heart broken when Vince Evans tied the game up and then the Bears won in OT
dznutz1971 1 year ago