Thanksgiving Traditions

Redskins · 11-21-2007, 01:21 PM

Just curious, but does anyone know why certain teams like the Cowboys and Lions always play on Thanksgiving day? Where did this tradition come from and why are these teams singled out while other teams seem to get the shaft?

Not to answer my own question, but I thought it was because Detroit was one of the first teams which broadcasted their games over radio and thereby they have been getting rewarded ever since...and Dallas likely wrangled some deal with someone when the AFL and NFL merged as that's about the time when they got the spotlight.

Just curious if anyone knew the real answer and whether there was hope to overhaul the system so no fan base is omitted. Besides, seeing Dallas play twice per year is enough for me already.

irish · 11-21-2007, 01:32 PM

I dont know about Dallas but I saw on the History Channel's History of Thanksgiving show that the Lions started playing on Thanksgiving as a way of increasing their exposure and to help make pro football more popular because college ball was the football of choice for most folks back in the day.

The game wasnt given as a reward, it was begun for the survival of the franchise.

SmootSmack · 11-21-2007, 01:51 PM

Sort of the same applies to why Dallas plays every Thanksgiving. CBS wanted to add a game to follow the Lions game. No team wanted to deal with playing on Thanksgiving. Tex Schramm, seeing an opportunity to gain exposure for his new Dallas Cowboys, gladly accepted and a tradition began.

chrisl4064 · 11-21-2007, 01:52 PM

it should be the pro bowl this weekend, and like in baseball, the winning squad gets homefield advantage. it would never happen but would be nice.

Monkeydad · 11-21-2007, 01:59 PM

The Lions played the first Thanksgiving game in 1934 and just kept it. They actually were one of the top and most popular teams back then.

The Cowboys have had it since 1966 when they took it away from the Chiefs in the AFL/NFL merger and it was almost taken away from them in '89 because some people thought they'd hurt ratings because they were so bad.

Commissioner Tagliabue kept it though.

Why these two cities? Tradition. I couldn't find a specific answer but here are some details:

Detroit Lions Site: Ask Detroitlions.com: Thanksgiving Day Traditions

Monkeydad · 11-21-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisl4064

it should be the pro bowl this weekend, and like in baseball, the winning squad gets homefield advantage. it would never happen but would be nice.

NO WAY! Would you want to risk losing Portis in an exhibition this week before we make our playoff run?

Baseball is not a contact sport like football. There is contact sure, but it's not part of the game like in football. The MLB All-Star game is fun and the players don't have to risk injury as much. The NFL is violent and the season is tough enough to survive with health without throwing in one more game where your teammates haven't practiced together. Ask Buffalo's punter if the Pro Bowl is safer than a regular season game.

Worst idea ever.

SmootSmack · 11-21-2007, 02:14 PM

Thanksgiving Game Has Deep Roots in the NFL - November 21, 2007 - The New York Sun

chrisl4064 · 11-21-2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster

NO WAY! Would you want to risk losing Portis in an exhibition this week before we make our playoff run?

Baseball is not a contact sport like football. There is contact sure, but it's not part of the game like in football. The MLB All-Star game is fun and the players don't have to risk injury as much. The NFL is violent and the season is tough enough to survive with health without throwing in one more game where your teammates haven't practiced together. Ask Buffalo's punter if the Pro Bowl is safer than a regular season game.

Worst idea ever.

i think the worst idea ever was when you made a big deal out of injuries, then decided to put up a video of a punter being hit then jumping right up uninjured.

scowan · 11-21-2007, 02:48 PM

Let's change this discussion a bit, What are your Thanksgiving traditions as it relates to Football?.... Mine a great Turkey day meal at lunch with the family followed by catching the second half of the early game on the couch. (We turn the tube off while we eat, as it should be) This year, I will cheer for the Packers and the Jets. We need the Lions and the Cowboys to lose. Well we don't NEED the Cowboys to lose, but I HATE THE COWBOYS!

chrisl4064 · 11-21-2007, 02:52 PM

I too hate the cowboys. im just hoping for good games. and did i see a late game on espn or nfl network?

Daseal · 11-21-2007, 02:54 PM

I don't know if the Redskins get shafted by not having to play on 4 days prep...

SmootSmack · 11-21-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisl4064

I too hate the cowboys. im just hoping for good games. and did i see a late game on espn or nfl network?

NFL Network

SmootSmack · 11-21-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scowan

Let's change this discussion a bit, What are your Thanksgiving traditions as it relates to Football?.... Mine a great Turkey day meal at lunch with the family followed by catching the second half of the early game on the couch. (We turn the tube off while we eat, as it should be) This year, I will cheer for the Packers and the Jets. We need the Lions and the Cowboys to lose. Well we don't NEED the Cowboys to lose, but I HATE THE COWBOYS!

We do dinner with family and close friends. We did lunch a couple of times, and I couldn't get into it.

I like how you said you turn the tv off during the meal. Good call on that. That is the way it should be.

scowan · 11-21-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

We do dinner with family and close friends. We did lunch a couple of times, and I couldn't get into it.

I like how you said you turn the tv off during the meal. Good call on that. That is the way it should be.

There is more to life than Football, and I really like the Thanksgiving Holiday. Good food, family, cool air outside, football, but we are spoiled in this country, and we should all be very Thankful, we really have it good.

Just read an article, if you have food in the frig, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the people in the world. If you have money in the bank, money in your wallet and change on your dresser you are among the top 8%!

Wow!

11-21-2007, 01:21 PM	#1
Redskins Camp Scrub Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 48	Thanksgiving Traditions Just curious, but does anyone know why certain teams like the Cowboys and Lions always play on Thanksgiving day? Where did this tradition come from and why are these teams singled out while other teams seem to get the shaft? Not to answer my own question, but I thought it was because Detroit was one of the first teams which broadcasted their games over radio and thereby they have been getting rewarded ever since...and Dallas likely wrangled some deal with someone when the AFL and NFL merged as that's about the time when they got the spotlight. Just curious if anyone knew the real answer and whether there was hope to overhaul the system so no fan base is omitted. Besides, seeing Dallas play twice per year is enough for me already.

11-21-2007, 01:32 PM	#2
irish Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,575	Re: Thanksgiving Traditions I dont know about Dallas but I saw on the History Channel's History of Thanksgiving show that the Lions started playing on Thanksgiving as a way of increasing their exposure and to help make pro football more popular because college ball was the football of choice for most folks back in the day. The game wasnt given as a reward, it was begun for the survival of the franchise.

11-21-2007, 01:51 PM	#3
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: Thanksgiving Traditions Sort of the same applies to why Dallas plays every Thanksgiving. CBS wanted to add a game to follow the Lions game. No team wanted to deal with playing on Thanksgiving. Tex Schramm, seeing an opportunity to gain exposure for his new Dallas Cowboys, gladly accepted and a tradition began. __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

11-21-2007, 01:52 PM	#4
chrisl4064 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lake Travis, Texas Age: 43 Posts: 786	Re: Thanksgiving Traditions it should be the pro bowl this weekend, and like in baseball, the winning squad gets homefield advantage. it would never happen but would be nice.

11-21-2007, 01:59 PM	#5
Monkeydad Living Legend Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PA Age: 45 Posts: 17,460	Re: Thanksgiving Traditions The Lions played the first Thanksgiving game in 1934 and just kept it. They actually were one of the top and most popular teams back then. The Cowboys have had it since 1966 when they took it away from the Chiefs in the AFL/NFL merger and it was almost taken away from them in '89 because some people thought they'd hurt ratings because they were so bad. Commissioner Tagliabue kept it though. Why these two cities? Tradition. I couldn't find a specific answer but here are some details: Detroit Lions Site: Ask Detroitlions.com: Thanksgiving Day Traditions

11-21-2007, 02:14 PM	#7
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: Thanksgiving Traditions Thanksgiving Game Has Deep Roots in the NFL - November 21, 2007 - The New York Sun __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

11-21-2007, 02:48 PM	#9
scowan The Starter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: KY Age: 55 Posts: 1,559	Re: Thanksgiving Traditions Let's change this discussion a bit, What are your Thanksgiving traditions as it relates to Football?.... Mine a great Turkey day meal at lunch with the family followed by catching the second half of the early game on the couch. (We turn the tube off while we eat, as it should be) This year, I will cheer for the Packers and the Jets. We need the Lions and the Cowboys to lose. Well we don't NEED the Cowboys to lose, but I HATE THE COWBOYS!

11-21-2007, 02:52 PM	#10
chrisl4064 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lake Travis, Texas Age: 43 Posts: 786	Re: Thanksgiving Traditions I too hate the cowboys. im just hoping for good games. and did i see a late game on espn or nfl network?

11-21-2007, 02:54 PM	#11
Daseal Puppy Kicker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, Virginia Age: 41 Posts: 8,341	Re: Thanksgiving Traditions I don't know if the Redskins get shafted by not having to play on 4 days prep... __________________ Best. Player. Available.

Thanksgiving Traditions

Locker Room Main Forum