Bill Keenist is a great man who loves people, football, and the Lions. Bill is responsible for allowing myself and my youth football team the ability to play football at Ford Field during halftime of a Lions game when I was about 10 years old. A memory I will cherish forever.
Honolulu Blue is the color of the ocean water in Honolulu Bay. It in fact is a bit darker than the current Lions blue. The closest I've seen are the blue jerseys from the 1950s.
@@PerculeWTChamp not bad. I don't care for them going back to the generic numbers but I'm sure they'll grow on me. Kind of wish the blue helmets were reversed of those colors (blue Lion, black helmet). Otherwise I don't think they did bad at all.
@@RedWingsninetyone I agree with you. I like the old school block numbers and a newer blue tone as well. Also I like the black lion, but I agree that it would look nice reversed
Seahawks fan living in Portsmouth, Ohio. It's true we do have a large number of Lions supporters down here, and when I'm not pulling for Seattle I'm pulling for you guys. Bonus fact, Spartan Stadium, the original home of the Portsmouth Spartans, still exists that is one of the oldest remaining NFL stadiums. Might be an interesting attraction for any Lions fans visiting Southern Ohio. Oh and P.S., please beat the brakes off the Niners!
As someone born and raised in Hawai'i (I'm a Chargers Fan but am rooting for the Lions on Sunday) I was always curious as to why they chose that specific color of "Honolulu Blue!!!" 😅 But this pretty much sums it up for me!!! Great origin story and good luck on Sunday!!!
The Spartans original stadium is still being used by Portsmouth Notre Dame High School and is in pretty good shape for a 90+ year old venue. i went there last year to see the stadium. In 1932 the spartans defeated the then champion Green Bay Packers at Spartan Municipal Stadium using just 11 players in the whole game. I believe eight of those 11 would be on the Lions 1935 championship winning squad along with their coach, Potsy Clark. I was in Portsmouth last summer and took pictures of the outside of the stadium. The sign in front of the stadium even says "Original Home of the Portsmouth Spartans/Detroit Lions". Should the thing happen that has never happened before on Sunday, my wife and I plan on watching the game from the American Legion hall in Portsmouth, and this fall plan to be in attendance at a game at Spartan Municipal Stadium to see Notre Dame play where the Spartans/Lions originally did Happy to share my pics if anyone is interested
What a nostalgic and terrific story. I got goosebumps watching that with our great city and our great spirts teams. I pretty much knew all of that stor except for how did the Lions get thier colors, and its so ciol to know now. Keep up the great work local 4.
I grew up in Northern California where rooting for the Niners was almost a requirement to graduate high school 40 years ago. But, I was a Lions fan and caught allot of grief for it. Haven’t been in touch with my classmates since I left for the Navy. However, they are most likely thinking they have a home field advantage playing outdoors in 60 degrees. That is just so cute. I almost feel bad for the humiliation and pounding San Francisco is going to receive in their own stadium.
this is a great story, i always wondered how the that name of color came to Detroit! You guys are lucky that you can have real throwback uniforms and nostalgia. i'm a lifelong Redskins fan, and all of our 'throw back' stuff has that nasty 'comanders' W on it!!. Good luck next year - you guys were super impressive this year.
My dad hardly missed a game. I always thought he was biased when he said the Lions had the nicest colors in the NFL...but turns out he was right. Honolulu blue and silver... miss you dad. You would be so happy with this team!
Glenn had no real preference but it was his wife who loved the Honolulu blue and silver scheme as no other NFL team had it. Lions did wear red jerseys for that coach Alvin McMillin era.....aka the Bo before the Go Blue Bo. Black and scarlet accents also were used in McMillin's time for important games.
The Lions need to go back to the 80's uniforms. Blue jerseys/silver pants....then white jerseys/silver pants on the road. The "all one color", all blue....or those all white pajamas they wore in the NFL title game, just scream "lets look like a CFL or college team".
i was 8 or 9 yrs old and recieved a lions blue jacket for christmas being from houston and houston didnt have the texans yet months later i got a texans jacket so i been a lions/seahawks and texans fan my whole life
Go Niners! I have a lot of respect for the Detroit Lions. Great to see the history of the logos. A T-shirt with that 1934 Lions logo would be a big seller.
Liked the old Lions uniforms from the 70s - 90s as shown with the stripes on the jersey. And matching helmet and pants. The pants are just white now like practice pants. WTF
I was a sports writer in Portsmouth more than 10 years ago and still have communication with the sports editor. The last part of the town being big Lions fans is a bit of a stretch.
I wish someone could get me in touch with Bill Keenist. I have a ton of Detroit newspapers from the 50’s, including the 57 championship that I would donate to the right place! My father clipped them as a boy into young adulthood. All I’d ask is my father get some thanks.
Interesting point: the Bears were the Decatur Staleys and when they renamed to the Bears, it was because the Cubs were first (one would think it would have been the reverse)
Truly awful how the lions (1) changed the lions logo on the helmet (2)got rid of the Honolulu blue facemask (3) and tweaked the rest of the uniform …..vs SF in the championship game instead of wearing silver pants with a Honolulu blue striping …….the lions wore long John underwear all white pants and they looked hideous and ridiculous
It's actually the Original 9 of the NFL. The Bears, Cardinals, Packers, Giants, Commanders, Steelers, Eagles, Lions and Rams. Those were the teams that survived until the merger with the AAFC.
The original Honolulu Blue was much darker and really looked good. If you look at the 1994 throwbacks, they replicated the color perfectly. The modern throwbacks are much lighter as are the regular ones. The 90's jersey was much deeper. If you look at the Barry Sanders jersey they sell and compare it with the current ones, the Sanders jersey is much darker. THAT is the color the Lions should have.
I remember in 1988 I'd fashioned my own "Axel Foley" Lions jacket I was immensely proud of. One day when catching the bus in LA, a man said to me: "Those aren't Lions colors." My response was: "I know, I saw Beverly Hills Cop 2 one time too many." (yes, I own a Beverly Hills edition Lions one now.)
FYI...not only did the origin owner name them the Lions in keeping with the big cat theme, but also said he wanted the team to be known as the "Monarchs of the new football league".
It appears a predetermination was conducted by Refs n NFL ...notice the colors of the SB logo ..red n purple...it appears no blue or silver was incorporated.
It's pronounced (hoh-noh-loo-loo) People on the continent: please pronounce it correctly. Sincerely, a lifelong Hawai‘i resident that cares about the Hawaiian language and culture.
That's Tiffany Blue, is an Ancient Elite Color of Royals & Purple is Another , So Maybe They Will Have Lions vs Ravens in The Super Bowl, We shall see!
Great story, and much respect back to you sir. I watched that '81 team beat Dallas ''the catch'', while serving in US ARMY Ft Bliss Texas.great memories
As an Arizona Cardinals fan, a football team established in the 19th Century, I consider the Lions Johnny Come Lately. 😂 Nevertheless, the opponent to my rival is my friend, so Roar, Lions, Roar! Crush the Forty Whiners and then bring back the Lombardi to the NFC.
Sorry you Lions fans didn't make it to the Super Bowl. You've stuck with this team through thin and thinner. Every team should be lucky enough have to have fans as great as you.
They are Blue and Silver because they can never match up to Green and Gold. Go Pac! Our history is full of Champions! Yeah Detroit, go grab that trophy where our Coach's name is on it!
I’m not a Lions fan, but pulling for team the next two weeks. Every fan base should see their team win a championship.
Born in Michigan now living in honolulu oahu it is really crazy for me out here. Let's get this done one pride.
As a 43yr fan I never knew this story. Love it.
Bill Keenist is a great man who loves people, football, and the Lions.
Bill is responsible for allowing myself and my youth football team the ability to play football at Ford Field during halftime of a Lions game when I was about 10 years old. A memory I will cherish forever.
When was this??
@@Woody10719 about 20 years ago
From a Jets fan (rebuilding since 1969) in Boise,..Go Lions! You all deserve this season ! ✊
Go Broncos! (BSU)
From a Pats fan (before you hate on me...I supported the Pats since the 1970s...when the sucked...like this past season)...Go Lions!!!
@@jimkeats891 super bowl XX....first one i saw.
super bowl shuffle is inderrated
I'll say this for the Detroit Lions....they have some of the coolest colors & helmets !! Those home unis are tight. 💪🏼
Honolulu Blue is the color of the ocean water in Honolulu Bay. It in fact is a bit darker than the current Lions blue. The closest I've seen are the blue jerseys from the 1950s.
I believe it required a specific time of day as well
How about the new uniforms from yesterdays reveal?
@@PerculeWTChamp not bad. I don't care for them going back to the generic numbers but I'm sure they'll grow on me. Kind of wish the blue helmets were reversed of those colors (blue Lion, black helmet). Otherwise I don't think they did bad at all.
@@RedWingsninetyone I agree with you. I like the old school block numbers and a newer blue tone as well. Also I like the black lion, but I agree that it would look nice reversed
Love the colors. LIONS!!!!! Go take it!
I absolutely love this story.❤❤❤💙💙💙💙💙Go Lions!!!!!
Seahawks fan living in Portsmouth, Ohio. It's true we do have a large number of Lions supporters down here, and when I'm not pulling for Seattle I'm pulling for you guys. Bonus fact, Spartan Stadium, the original home of the Portsmouth Spartans, still exists that is one of the oldest remaining NFL stadiums. Might be an interesting attraction for any Lions fans visiting Southern Ohio.
Oh and P.S., please beat the brakes off the Niners!
He’s right-> The fans are the brightest beauty of the Detroit Lions. Love this piece.
I always thought it was because it’s similar to the Ford motor company’s colors
Congratulations to the Lions and their fans on their 2023 season, even though it camr to a disappointing end yesterday.
As someone born and raised in Hawai'i (I'm a Chargers Fan but am rooting for the Lions on Sunday) I was always curious as to why they chose that specific color of "Honolulu Blue!!!" 😅 But this pretty much sums it up for me!!! Great origin story and good luck on Sunday!!!
I much prefer the uniforms and helmets from the Barry Sanders era - the less detailed outline of the lion has a much better “old school” vibe to it!
I recall Mariucci saying "Honolulu blue. What is that?" on his first interview after being hired as HC. He didn't last long, luckily.
🤣🤣
He was great with the Niners. Things went downhill fast after he left
He was good wdym
LIONS.... How could you not love the story of this years team. Thanks for the history lesson.
Most football fans who didn’t have a team in the playoffs were Lions fans this year. Nothing to be ashamed of, you did really good!
The Spartans original stadium is still being used by Portsmouth Notre Dame High School and is in pretty good shape for a 90+ year old venue. i went there last year to see the stadium. In 1932 the spartans defeated the then champion Green Bay Packers at Spartan Municipal Stadium using just 11 players in the whole game. I believe eight of those 11 would be on the Lions 1935 championship winning squad along with their coach, Potsy Clark.
I was in Portsmouth last summer and took pictures of the outside of the stadium. The sign in front of the stadium even says "Original Home of the Portsmouth Spartans/Detroit Lions". Should the thing happen that has never happened before on Sunday, my wife and I plan on watching the game from the American Legion hall in Portsmouth, and this fall plan to be in attendance at a game at Spartan Municipal Stadium to see Notre Dame play where the Spartans/Lions originally did
Happy to share my pics if anyone is interested
What a nostalgic and terrific story. I got goosebumps watching that with our great city and our great spirts teams. I pretty much knew all of that stor except for how did the Lions get thier colors, and its so ciol to know now. Keep up the great work local 4.
Portsmouth has a massive mural commemorating the Spartans/ Lions
I grew up in Northern California where rooting for the Niners was almost a requirement to graduate high school 40 years ago. But, I was a Lions fan and caught allot of grief for it. Haven’t been in touch with my classmates since I left for the Navy. However, they are most likely thinking they have a home field advantage playing outdoors in 60 degrees.
That is just so cute. I almost feel bad for the humiliation and pounding San Francisco is going to receive in their own stadium.
Have an uncle that moved there in the early 80s…have a lot of cousins in the Santa Rosa area. GO LIONS!
Im not a Lions fan but I think they have some of the best looking uniforms in the NFL 👍
In the 80's they did....not so much now.
006db0 = Honolulu Blue, if you want it specific
Or is it 0076b6 ?
@@GIJosep I plugged into the search bar "Honolulu Blue color code" and in BIG bold non-clickable font, was this code at the top of the page
No, we want it vague. 🫥
Great story, hope they go to the Super Bowl and win..Bears fan
this is a great story, i always wondered how the that name of color came to Detroit! You guys are lucky that you can have real throwback uniforms and nostalgia. i'm a lifelong Redskins fan, and all of our 'throw back' stuff has that nasty 'comanders' W on it!!. Good luck next year - you guys were super impressive this year.
Go LIONS!!!!
My dad hardly missed a game. I always thought he was biased when he said the Lions had the nicest colors in the NFL...but turns out he was right.
Honolulu blue and silver... miss you dad.
You would be so happy with this team!
If Honolulu had a team, would they wear Detroit Blue?
It’s only fair
General Motors blue lol
Glenn had no real preference but it was his wife who loved the Honolulu blue and silver scheme as no other NFL team had it.
Lions did wear red jerseys for that coach Alvin McMillin era.....aka the Bo before the Go Blue Bo.
Black and scarlet accents also were used in McMillin's time for important games.
The Lions need to go back to the 80's uniforms. Blue jerseys/silver pants....then white jerseys/silver pants on the road. The "all one color", all blue....or those all white pajamas they wore in the NFL title game, just scream "lets look like a CFL or college team".
GO LIONS!!!! A fan since 1970!!!!!
Same here. Go Lions!
Detroit and Honolulu are such different and opposite cities in just about every way. Interesting story interconnecting the two.
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this story. Way better then asking the google
I'm glad he didn't use the Detroit river as the color.
It’s pretty cool considering the new uniform reveal from yesterday.
I love our blue. 💙
Been a cowboys fan my whole life and I've always love Detroit uniforms and colors crazy to hear this story 😂😅😅
i was 8 or 9 yrs old and recieved a lions blue jacket for christmas being from houston and houston didnt have the texans yet months later i got a texans jacket so i been a lions/seahawks and texans fan my whole life
I'm a Cowboys fan, But I pulled for the Lions in the playoffs. Cool story. I'm glad they got a good run.
This should be a standard question asked to anyone who claims to be a lions fan
My favorite blue color on a jersey is the Toronto Maple Leafs blue; it is classic and gorgeous in my opinion
The old uniform is so much better than their current Blue overdose uniforms...
Awesome clip
Go Niners! I have a lot of respect for the Detroit Lions. Great to see the history of the logos. A T-shirt with that 1934 Lions logo would be a big seller.
That was awesome!
Liked the old Lions uniforms from the 70s - 90s as shown with the stripes on the jersey. And matching helmet and pants. The pants are just white now like practice pants. WTF
For one season, 1966, the Lions wore a darker, royal blue (like the Colts and Rams) before seitching back to Honolulu blue in 1967.
Awesome blue in the uniform!
The Lions do have some of the best uniforms in all of sports
Great story; my predictions for the Lions (to) and in the SB against whomever are the Lions winning 24-21.
I was a sports writer in Portsmouth more than 10 years ago and still have communication with the sports editor. The last part of the town being big Lions fans is a bit of a stretch.
How did the Lions logo get the beloved nickname "Bubbles?'
Love those jerseys. 10/10
I wish someone could get me in touch with Bill Keenist. I have a ton of Detroit newspapers from the 50’s, including the 57 championship that I would donate to the right place! My father clipped them as a boy into young adulthood. All I’d ask is my father get some thanks.
This my favorite question to ask those that claim to be a Lions FAN..very few knew the Jersey blue name !
They have a good young talented team but they made it as far as they can go after Sunday good season bang bang
Interesting point: the Bears were the Decatur Staleys and when they renamed to the Bears, it was because the Cubs were first (one would think it would have been the reverse)
How long of a trip must that have been?
It's because they're always on vacation.
Truly awful how the lions (1) changed the lions logo on the helmet (2)got rid of the Honolulu blue facemask (3) and tweaked the rest of the uniform …..vs SF in the championship game instead of wearing silver pants with a Honolulu blue striping …….the lions wore long John underwear all white pants and they looked hideous and ridiculous
My tie to Detroit!!! Through the Honolulu Blue!!!!
Detroit vs Cleveland would be the ultimate Superbowl.Maybe next year!🙏🏻
Ironic that Detroit and the "Old Cleveland" teams both lost in the Conference Title games this year.
Is that #3 jersey Joey Harrington
You have to be joking…. At least I hope you are…
Eddie Murray
great history of the lions good luck to the lions
It's actually the Original 9 of the NFL. The Bears, Cardinals, Packers, Giants, Commanders, Steelers, Eagles, Lions and Rams. Those were the teams that survived until the merger with the AAFC.
I Love it 🦁
The original Honolulu Blue was much darker and really looked good. If you look at the 1994 throwbacks, they replicated the color perfectly. The modern throwbacks are much lighter as are the regular ones. The 90's jersey was much deeper. If you look at the Barry Sanders jersey they sell and compare it with the current ones, the Sanders jersey is much darker. THAT is the color the Lions should have.
If you put your ear up to a Lions' helmet, you can hear the ocean.
What a great story
I remember in 1988 I'd fashioned my own "Axel Foley" Lions jacket I was immensely proud of. One day when catching the bus in LA, a man said to me: "Those aren't Lions colors." My response was: "I know, I saw Beverly Hills Cop 2 one time too many." (yes, I own a Beverly Hills edition Lions one now.)
Detroit Lions are America's Team
I was born and raised on Pluto and everything is Blue, I always wondered why the Lions had a blue color. Da ba dee da ba di
One Pride 💙🖤
FYI...not only did the origin owner name them the Lions in keeping with the big cat theme, but also said he wanted the team to be known as the "Monarchs of the new football league".
It appears a predetermination was conducted by Refs n NFL ...notice the colors of the SB logo ..red n purple...it appears no blue or silver was incorporated.
So if he’d visited Alaska, they’d be wearing Juneau Lavender or something?
My fav color fr
Aloha from Honolulu 🤙🏻
It's pronounced (hoh-noh-loo-loo)
People on the continent: please pronounce it correctly.
Sincerely, a lifelong Hawai‘i resident that cares about the Hawaiian language and culture.
Great story
Wolverines and Lions win it all in the same season?
I always thought it was blue for ford
Portsmouth sounds like a paradox. Ohioans liking a Michigan team.
Interesting!
❤❤
That's Tiffany Blue, is an Ancient Elite Color of Royals & Purple is Another , So Maybe They Will Have Lions vs Ravens in The Super Bowl, We shall see!
Great story, and much respect back to you sir. I watched that '81 team beat Dallas ''the catch'', while serving in US ARMY Ft Bliss Texas.great memories
To keep them from getting set on fire?
I was kind of wishing it was something a bit cooler than “some rich guy went on vacation to Hawaii and liked the colors” lol
As an Arizona Cardinals fan, a football team established in the 19th Century, I consider the Lions Johnny Come Lately. 😂
Nevertheless, the opponent to my rival is my friend, so Roar, Lions, Roar! Crush the Forty Whiners and then bring back the Lombardi to the NFC.
True lol, I consider Arizona as a state to be Johnny come lately…lmao
Should have kicked a field goal
Dan Dumbell cost the city their 1st trip to the SB. His arrogance is his weakness!
Sorry you Lions fans didn't make it to the Super Bowl. You've stuck with this team through thin and thinner. Every team should be lucky enough have to have fans as great as you.
Now we know the rest of the story
They are Blue and Silver because they can never match up to Green and Gold. Go Pac! Our history is full of Champions! Yeah Detroit, go grab that trophy where our Coach's name is on it!
0:39 why tf is there a thanos glove in the display case L
It is like 1968 all over
Not a football guy or a bandwagoneer, but best of luck to the Lions. 🍻
FYI....Honolulu=Hoh-noh-loo-loo, not Hanalulu. Hana is small town on E Maui
Keenist. Everything wrong with the old Lions.