Thanksgiving and NFL is Like Turkey and Gravy

Image Credit, Keith Johnston

Thanksgiving Day in America holds a special place in the hearts of many, ranking among the top holidays alongside Christmas, a time when families gather, feast on turkey, and reflect on what they’re grateful for. Yet, for millions of sports fans, the holiday means one thing above all: football.

In the past, this day wasn’t always the festive football occasion it is today. Early on, teams were hesitant to play on such a holiday. There was a general reluctance, with players and coaches resisting the idea of spending time away from family and home. It wasn’t the annual gridiron tradition it has become. The league had to convince teams that playing on this day could be both viable and profitable.

But over time, things changed. Football started on Thanksgiving in 1920, just after the league’s founding, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that it became an integral part of the season. The Detroit Lions, who have hosted a game on this day since 1934, helped solidify the tradition. They faced the Chicago Bears that year in front of a packed crowd in Detroit, and a new custom was born. Shortly after, the Dallas Cowboys joined the holiday mix, adding their own game each year starting in 1966. From then on, football and this special day became inseparable.

Fast forward to today, and things have certainly evolved. Now, every team has come to embrace the day as an essential part of the season. It’s not just the Lions and Cowboys anymore; the holiday slate is a prime opportunity for the league to showcase its talent. The tradition of three games—one in the early afternoon, one in prime time, and another in the evening—has been firmly etched into the football calendar. It’s a time when rivalries, playoff hopes, and holiday spirit collide on the field. Fans tune in to watch the games while surrounded by friends, family, and food, making it the perfect backdrop for the occasion.

However, the notion of change is no longer on the table. While the games were once in jeopardy, today they are as fixed as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or the fall-away aprons in kitchens across America. With these matchups now embedded in the national culture, teams and fans alike know that no changes are coming. The tradition is set, not to be touched.

On this day, as families settle in for their meals, the television is often tuned into the action as teams battle it out on the field. In between bites of stuffing and slices of pie, fans enjoy the excitement, the highlights, and the drama that only football can provide. It’s a celebration steeped in tradition, not just for the families around the dinner table, but for the sport that now owns the holiday. Football and Thanksgiving have become one, each elevating the other in a harmonious celebration of sport, food, and family. And for all those fans out there, the day just wouldn’t be the same without it.