A Tradition of Thanksgiving Football: From the Heart of Detroit to the Star in Dallas
Thanksgiving Day in the United States is about more than turkey and stuffing. For millions of Americans, it’s synonymous with football, a tradition eagerly anticipated as families gather around the television, some having waited an entire year for these cherished moments. The Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys have become the hallmark teams of this holiday, each hosting Thanksgiving Day games that have evolved into a deep-rooted part of American sports culture.
The Lions Roar on Thanksgiving
The Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving tradition is the oldest, dating back to 1934. That year, in an attempt to attract more fans, then-owner George A. Richards decided to use the Thanksgiving holiday to draw attention to his team. The gambit worked, establishing a tradition that continues to this day. However, like many sporting events, World War II led to a temporary pause. The Lions' Thanksgiving games were shelved from 1939 to 1944, a small blip in an otherwise consistent history.
Today, the Lions have participated in 84 Thanksgiving games, securing 37 wins, 45 losses, and two ties. This year, the Lions will once again take to the field on Thanksgiving Day, facing off against their longstanding rivals, the Chicago Bears, at 12:30 p.m. ET. The anticipation is palpable, as both sides bring their storied pasts and present aspirations to the forefront.
America's Team on America's Day
The Dallas Cowboys joined the Thanksgiving football scene several decades later, in 1966. General manager Tex Schramm saw the potential to engage fans with a regular holiday game, not just as an entertainment fixture, but an opportunity to enhance the national profile of the Cowboys. Aside from missing the holiday matches in 1975 and 1977, the Cowboys have been a Thanksgiving staple, drawing a massive audience each year.
The Cowboys have played 56 Thanksgiving games, amassing 33 wins, 22 losses, and one tie. This season, they are set to host the New York Giants in a traditional late afternoon slot at 4:30 p.m. ET, offering fans a classic NFC East showdown filled with pride and playoff implications. For the Cowboys and their fans, this Thanksgiving matchup is more than a game—it symbolizes years of competition and camaraderie.
Primetime Football Feast
In 2006, the NFL expanded its Thanksgiving Day lineup to include an evening game, adding a new dimension to the holiday fixtures. This year, the Miami Dolphins will suit up against the Green Bay Packers for a primetime contest at 8:20 p.m. ET. These night games have grown in popularity, providing fans with a perfect cap to a day filled with feasts and football thrills.
Notable Absences
Despite the wide participation of NFL teams over the years, the Jacksonville Jaguars are a noteworthy absence on this list. Since their inception in 1995, the Jaguars have yet to play on Thanksgiving Day. As the NFL continues to evolve, fans hope to eventually see Jacksonville join the roster of teams making Thanksgiving memories.
Thanksgiving and football have become intertwined, each enhancing the joy of the holiday season. As the Lions and Cowboys prepare once more to grace the field, they carry on a long-standing tradition that serves both as an homage to rivalry and a celebration of community spirit. This year promises yet another chapter in the storied history of Thanksgiving football—a cherished ritual that brings together old friends and rivals, united in the spirit of competition and gratitude.