Here's why the Detroit Lions wear Honolulu Blue

As you would well expect, Detroit has been surrounded by Honolulu Blue, but why did a northern city like Detroit adopt a tropical color for its football team?

[@lastpme]

I’m not a Lions fan, but pulling for team the next two weeks. Every fan base should see their team win a championship.

[@syrtyce]

As a 43yr fan I never knew this story. Love it.

[@zackliedke2210]

Born in Michigan now living in honolulu oahu it is really crazy for me out here. Let's get this done one pride.

[@dylandigsdub]

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.

[@Woody10719]

When was this??

[@dylandigsdub]

@@Woody10719 about 20 years ago

[@bsmith8943]

Love the colors. LIONS!!!!! Go take it!

[@thomasaghotmail]

I'll say this for the Detroit Lions....they have some of the coolest colors & helmets !! Those home unis are tight. 💪🏼

[@aaronzimmerman1089]

From a Jets fan (rebuilding since 1969) in Boise,..Go Lions! You all deserve this season ! ✊

[@RedWingsninetyone]

Go Broncos! (BSU)

[@jimkeats891]

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!!!

[@anonymousYTviewer69]

@@jimkeats891 super bowl XX....first one i saw. super bowl shuffle is inderrated

[@Simplek1593]

I absolutely love this story.❤❤❤💙💙💙💙💙Go Lions!!!!!

[@joshchina96789]

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!!!

[@dennisg.3364]

LIONS.... How could you not love the story of this years team. Thanks for the history lesson.

[@jerrybrown59]

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!

[@3243_]

Congratulations to the Lions and their fans on their 2023 season, even though it camr to a disappointing end yesterday.

[@SpiralstaircaseTV]

I always thought it was because it’s similar to the Ford motor company’s colors

[@JustWinBabee]

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.

[@RedWingsninetyone]

I believe it required a specific time of day as well

[@PerculeWTChamp]

How about the new uniforms from yesterdays reveal?

[@RedWingsninetyone]

@@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.

[@PerculeWTChamp]

@@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

[@wysiwyg2489]

I recall Mariucci saying "Honolulu blue. What is that?" on his first interview after being hired as HC. He didn't last long, luckily.

[@onceago1]

🤣🤣

[@alexsolo4085]

He was great with the Niners. Things went downhill fast after he left

[@spongebobgamingrblx4634]

He was good wdym

[@annmackay5786]

He’s right-> The fans are the brightest beauty of the Detroit Lions. Love this piece.

[@thomassterrett1905]

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!

[@lionsfan7500]

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.

[@ddellwo]

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!

[@voyager7]

Go LIONS!!!!

[@katieann1908]

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!

[@phillysfinest82]

Been a cowboys fan my whole life and I've always love Detroit uniforms and colors crazy to hear this story 😂😅😅

[@normadamous]

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.

[@radioactive9861]

GO LIONS!!!! A fan since 1970!!!!!

[@seeseemun4528]

Same here. Go Lions!

[@PerculeWTChamp]

It’s pretty cool considering the new uniform reveal from yesterday.

[@24X7CARZ]

Detroit and Honolulu are such different and opposite cities in just about every way. Interesting story interconnecting the two.

[@mikekiewicz246]

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

[@rickybailey4085]

Portsmouth has a massive mural commemorating the Spartans/ Lions

[@johnsobey4261]

Great story, hope they go to the Super Bowl and win..Bears fan

[@TheGreenVeterans]

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.

[@patrickaker4380]

Have an uncle that moved there in the early 80s…have a lot of cousins in the Santa Rosa area. GO LIONS!

[@ps138vs2cavi]

Awesome clip

[@TheCollectorCave]

That was awesome!

[@uTubeNoITube]

I love our blue. 💙

[@justincider3765]

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this story. Way better then asking the google

[@TheFlutecart]

I'm a Cowboys fan, But I pulled for the Lions in the playoffs. Cool story. I'm glad they got a good run.

[@Roland_Bishop]

This should be a standard question asked to anyone who claims to be a lions fan

[@PhysicalMediadude]

Awesome blue in the uniform!

[@your_royal_highness]

My favorite blue color on a jersey is the Toronto Maple Leafs blue; it is classic and gorgeous in my opinion

[@DukeofGames50]

006db0 = Honolulu Blue, if you want it specific

[@GIJosep]

Or is it 0076b6 ?

[@DukeofGames50]

@@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

[@GizmoBeach]

No, we want it vague. 🫥

[@anthonyjohnson9403]

The Lions do have some of the best uniforms in all of sports

[@ericscottstevens]

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.

[@povertyspec9651]

If Honolulu had a team, would they wear Detroit Blue?

[@pjmlegrande]

It’s only fair

[@playdiscgolf1546]

General Motors blue lol

[@southwest5388]

I'm glad he didn't use the Detroit river as the color.

[@thebenefactor6744]

If you put your ear up to a Lions' helmet, you can hear the ocean.

[@xXtoyhippieXx]

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

[@CSDonohue11]

I Love it 🦁

[@jeffreyhall838]

Im not a Lions fan but I think they have some of the best looking uniforms in the NFL 👍

[@privatepenguin3137]

In the 80's they did....not so much now.

[@oldguysrock2170]

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.

[@Hoovie9596]

Love those jerseys. 10/10

[@craiglasky1884]

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".

[@3243_]

For one season, 1966, the Lions wore a darker, royal blue (like the Colts and Rams) before seitching back to Honolulu blue in 1967.

[@darleenhickson6005]

Interesting!

[@pikminlord343]

What a great story

[@Jonwood74]

The old uniform is so much better than their current Blue overdose uniforms...

[@damontawarnermadden1811]

Great story; my predictions for the Lions (to) and in the SB against whomever are the Lions winning 24-21.

[@richardwarfordjr.5622]

Great story

[@GoBirds808]

Aloha from Honolulu 🤙🏻

[@user-sz8bo4ur6n]

My fav color fr

[@jeremyward81]

One Pride 💙🖤

[@maxscameraguy]

How long of a trip must that have been?

[@don64]

Detroit vs Cleveland would be the ultimate Superbowl.Maybe next year!🙏🏻

[@privatepenguin3137]

Ironic that Detroit and the "Old Cleveland" teams both lost in the Conference Title games this year.

[@Meursault_1111]

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.

[@dc1397]

How did the Lions logo get the beloved nickname "Bubbles?'

[@_Tizoc_]

❤❤

[@anthonyleogrande637]

This my favorite question to ask those that claim to be a Lions FAN..very few knew the Jersey blue name !

[@onceago1]

My tie to Detroit!!! Through the Honolulu Blue!!!!

[@ricenglish4556]

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.

[@alienwolf2]

great history of the lions good luck to the lions

[@jerm_tangtizzy9250]

Detroit Lions are America's Team

[@CodyLeist]

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.

[@DollaBillz215]

They have a good young talented team but they made it as far as they can go after Sunday good season bang bang

[@your_royal_highness]

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)

[@sashasavisha146]

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

[@robj362]

Is that #3 jersey Joey Harrington

[@jasonpeterson8]

You have to be joking…. At least I hope you are…

[@akilfahd]

Eddie Murray

[@allanbard6048]

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.)

[@johnhoover3345]

[@robertdriscoll711]

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

[@jamespyle777]

Portsmouth sounds like a paradox. Ohioans liking a Michigan team.

[@An_Enraged_Pig]

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

[@tygrkhat4087]

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.

[@GizmoBeach]

So if he’d visited Alaska, they’d be wearing Juneau Lavender or something?

[@playdiscgolf1546]

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

[@jamescaron6465]

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.

[@ZakarHawk]

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!

[@privatepenguin3137]

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".

[@oogrooq]

Wolverines and Lions win it all in the same season?

[@jamesshaffer3951]

I always thought it was blue for ford

[@diamonddave7555]

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.

[@harrymiram6621]

FYI....Honolulu=Hoh-noh-loo-loo, not Hanalulu. Hana is small town on E Maui

[@ch44227]

So, the reason is...the owner liked the color.

[@peterrussell798]

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.

[@playdiscgolf1546]

True lol, I consider Arizona as a state to be Johnny come lately…lmao

[@danschwartz1950]

It is like 1968 all over

[@demon3jl]

My dad used to make fun of me for being a Lions fan and call the Lions colors Honoloselose blue and silver.

[@VoltageTHD]

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!

[@braylorcasual9016]

0:39 why tf is there a thanos glove in the display case L

[@maxthepupp]

Tough beat Lions fans! But welcome back to some success where you belong!

[@scowlistic]

Not a football guy or a bandwagoneer, but best of luck to the Lions. 🍻

[@Roy-mw5js]

Keenist. Everything wrong with the old Lions.

[@djjohnson5580]

To keep them from getting set on fire?

[@styles9956]

Oh and here is was thinking it was because they blue the lead in the NFC championship. Interesting video though.

[@p44r]

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