Thanksgiving Football

At this time of year I am reminded of a few family traditions. This one especially holds true in my family. Charles Schulz’s A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973), the familiar story is succinctly told by Linus Van Pelt in a Thanksgiving dinner blessing: “In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast. They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought ninety of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food. Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests. Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: ‘We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land. We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.’”

Another tradition that I hold dear to me is the tradition of NFL Football on Thanksgiving Day. I know it is no secret that I am a Cowboys fan and it is also no secret that the Detroit Lions are going through some growing pains right now. Also since 2006 the NFL now includes a third game that is also a good thing and hopefully will be a good thing for our Thanksgiving football tradition.

However, I am disappointed that the NFL would continue to allow ill-prepared teams such as the Buccaneers, Seahawks, Jets, and now the Raiders, to play on the holiday. Yes I understand those are all Cowboys matchups, I know the Lions are not much better or haven't been much better either than any of the four teams mentioned, but the Lions play because it is tradition. Since 2006 the NFL lets the Cowboys play those kinds of turkeys. I am not complaining about the Cowboys winning the last four I just like a little competition. Why couldn't the Chargers be the highlighted game. Isn't that what the NFL wants is ratings? Could it be because we're all watching the games anyways and the only way we'll watch the Lions and whomever and the Cowboys and the any of the last four games is because they are on Thanksgiving?

I don't even want to hear it is because the Cowboys and the Lions have an unfair advantage either because many of their players who have been with those teams for years knows what to expect. If you are paid to do a job you should do the job! Bottom of line just like my family and I watching Charlie Brown you don't mess with tradition so the Lions and Cowboys aren't going anywhere. They will both get their home games.

Just please make it a bit more competitive! The Lions and Browns from the previous Sunday (11/22/09) would have been better than the Lions getting their butts beat in by the Packers. The same with the Raiders, until Al Davis dies or they at least freeze him, don't let him or any other mediocre team without any real tradition play on what should be a great day.

Shouldn't the game be promoted as the game of the year that is the closest thing to the Super Bowl or a playoff without being either of those? Also with the third game being in more of a regular prime time slot. Why wouldn't you want the featured game to be played during that time period? Also the NFL Network is shown in less than half of the homes in America. The NFL got it a decent match-up on paper with the Broncos and Giants, except for that idiot McDaniels swearing and not realizing there are mics and cameras everywhere and the Giants not showing up.

If money and time were not factors in your Thanksgiving dinner we would want the best meal we could possibly buy. So why is that when money and time are a factors plus you actually paid for a ticket to the game you don't demand a better game? You wouldn't stick rotten potatoes with your homemade fresh Tom Turkey would you?

While the NFL continues to give us sour turkey I hope everyone had a good day yesterday of being with their families, watching the games, and being thankful for all that we have. Oh yeah and that 55" TV that Grandpa bought.