Thanksgiving Football: A Modern Tradition

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and football. The NFL has been a part of this holiday since the 1920s, with the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys playing on Thanksgiving Day almost every year. The Lions started this tradition in 1934. They were a new team and needed to fill their stadium. George Richards, the team owner, had a clever idea. He decided to host a game on Thanksgiving and broadcast it on his radio network. It worked! The stadium sold out, and the tradition began. In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys wanted to join in. Tex Schramm, the general manager, thought a Thanksgiving game would help build their fanbase. He was right. The ratings went up, and the Cowboys became a Thanksgiving staple. Now, every year, the Lions play early, the Cowboys play late, and since 2006, there's a primetime game too. It's a full day of football from morning to night. Dak Prescott, the Cowboys quarterback, loves playing on Thanksgiving. He remembers watching the Cowboys as a kid and playing football with his brothers after the game. He feels lucky to be part of this tradition. This year, the Lions will play the Green Bay Packers, and the Baltimore Ravens will host the Cincinnati Bengals. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will also play the Cowboys. It's going to be an exciting day of football. Thanksgiving football has also brought famous commentators into our homes. John Madden and Pat Summerall called 20 Thanksgiving games together. They even introduced the world to the turducken, a duck stuffed inside a chicken stuffed inside a turkey. Madden started a tradition of giving players a turkey leg after the game. Even Tom Brady tried turducken last year and loved it. From the games to the food, Thanksgiving football is more than just a game. It's a holiday tradition that brings families together.