NFL on Thanksgiving Day facts for kids
Watching the National Football League (NFL) on Thanksgiving Day is a big tradition for many families in the United States. Ever since the league started in 1920, it has held games on this holiday. This idea came from college football, which had been playing big games on Thanksgiving for years.
Two teams are famous for always hosting a Thanksgiving game. The Detroit Lions have played at home on Thanksgiving every year since 1934. The Dallas Cowboys joined the tradition in 1966. In 2006, the NFL added a third game that is played at night. This game doesn't have a regular host team, so different teams get to play in it each year.
In 2022, the league started calling the event the John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration. This was to honor John Madden, a famous coach and TV announcer who loved the Thanksgiving games.
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History of Thanksgiving Football
How It All Started
The tradition of playing football on Thanksgiving began long before the NFL existed. Back in 1876, most people had the day off from work, so it was a perfect time to watch a game. The college teams from Yale and Princeton started playing each other every Thanksgiving. Soon, other colleges and even high schools joined in, making Thanksgiving and football a perfect match.
When the NFL was created, it made sense to continue this popular tradition. In the early years of the league, many teams played on Thanksgiving, including the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants.
The Lions and Cowboys Games
In 1934, the owner of the Detroit Lions, George A. Richards, had a clever idea. He wanted to get more fans to come to his team's games. He decided to host a game on Thanksgiving and broadcast it across the country on the radio. His plan worked! The Thanksgiving game became a huge success and a yearly tradition for the Lions.
For many years, the Lions' game was the only NFL game played on Thanksgiving. Then, in 1966, the Dallas Cowboys decided to host their own Thanksgiving game. The team's president, Tex Schramm, knew it would be great publicity. The Cowboys quickly became a very popular team, and their Thanksgiving game became just as famous as the Lions' game.
For a couple of years in the 1970s, the St. Louis Cardinals hosted the second game instead of Dallas. But fans missed seeing the Cowboys, so Dallas was brought back as the host in 1978 and has hosted a game ever since.
Adding a Third Game
By the 21st century, the Thanksgiving games were more popular than ever. In 2006, the NFL decided to add a third game to the schedule. This game is played in the evening, after the Lions and Cowboys games are over.
Unlike the afternoon games, the night game doesn't have a permanent host. This means different teams and cities get a chance to be part of the Thanksgiving fun. This game is usually a matchup between two rivals, which makes it extra exciting.
Famous Thanksgiving Moments
Over the years, the Thanksgiving games have produced some of the most memorable and wildest moments in NFL history.
- 1929: Ernie Nevers of the Chicago Cardinals scored all 40 of his team's points in a 40–6 win over the Chicago Bears. He scored six touchdowns and four extra points, a record that still stands today!
- 1962: The undefeated Green Bay Packers faced the Detroit Lions. The Lions' defense was unstoppable, sacking Packers quarterback Bart Starr 11 times. The Lions won 26–14 in a game known as the "Thanksgiving Day Massacre."
- 1974: Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach got injured, and a little-known backup named Clint Longley had to step in. He led an amazing comeback in the final minutes to beat Washington 24-23.
- 1980: The first Thanksgiving game to go into overtime! The Bears and Lions were tied, but the game ended just 13 seconds into overtime when Dave Williams of the Bears returned the kickoff for a touchdown.
- 1993: In a snowy game, the Miami Dolphins attempted a game-winning field goal against the Cowboys, but it was blocked. Dallas started to celebrate, but Cowboys player Leon Lett slid and touched the live ball. Miami recovered it and got to kick again, this time winning the game 16–14.
- 1998: In a game between the Steelers and Lions, the coin toss for overtime was very confusing. The referee thought Steelers player Jerome Bettis called "tails," but Bettis said he called "heads-tails." The Lions were given the ball and kicked a field goal to win.
- 2012: In a moment known as the "Butt Fumble," New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez ran into his own lineman's rear end and fumbled the ball. The New England Patriots picked it up and scored a touchdown.
- 2023: Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland set a new NFL record. He intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, his fifth of the season, the most in NFL history.
Special Traditions
Throwback Uniforms
One of the fun parts of the Thanksgiving games is seeing teams wear special uniforms. These are often "throwback" uniforms, which are designed to look like the ones the teams wore many years ago.
The Cowboys have worn uniforms from the 1960s and 1990s. The Lions have also worn throwbacks that look like their uniforms from their earliest seasons. These special uniforms help celebrate the long history of the teams and the league.
Halftime Shows and Charity
The halftime shows at the Thanksgiving games are a big deal, almost like a mini-Super Bowl halftime show. Since 1997, the Dallas Cowboys' halftime show has been a concert with a famous music star to kick off The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Christmas charity campaign.
The Detroit Lions' game also features a halftime concert, which supports the United Way. These performances are a fun way to entertain fans and raise money for good causes during the holiday season.
Game Awards
After each game, the TV networks give out fun awards to the best players.
- Turkey Leg Award: Announcer John Madden started this tradition in 1989. He would give an actual cooked turkey leg to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game. Winners would often take a big bite for the cameras.
- Galloping Gobbler: When Madden moved to the Fox network, they created a new trophy called the "Galloping Gobbler." It was a small statue of a turkey in a football helmet.
- All-Iron Award: The CBS network had its own award, a small metal iron, given to the toughest player of the game.
Today, the tradition continues as part of the "John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration." The MVP of each of the three games is named the "Madden Player of the Game." They receive a trophy and often a turkey leg, just like in the old days. The NFL also donates money to a youth football program in the winner's name.
See also
- American football on Thanksgiving
- NFL on Christmas Day
