2008 Woodie Awards
When it comes to November traditions, keep the turkeys and the Lions
Matt Spillane
Issue date: 11/30/06 Section: Features
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Every Thanksgiving I look forward to seeing all my relatives that I only visit once in a blue moon, and like most guys around the country, I also look forward to some good Thanksgiving football. Watching football on Thanksgiving is an old tradition that is not just enjoyed by rabid football fans and their family members alike. Everyone loves to join their relatives in the living room and enjoy the games together, which give us something to do before and after we devour the turkey. It does not even matter that two of the four teams playing every year are the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys; people still love to watch the games. Although they play separate teams, the Lions and the Cowboys always get their chance to play, no matter what. It is just tradition.
Some people do not like the fact that Detroit (in all its perpetual haplessness) and Dallas (with all its opponents) get the chance to play on every Thanksgiving. Critics of this custom make some valid arguments. Why should the Lions, who annually have one of the worst teams in professional football, have the right to play on a national holiday every single year? I am sure that there are not many people outside of Detroit who look forward to watching the mighty Lions take the field each Thanksgiving. Everyone knows what is going to happen anyway: Detroit's opponent, no matter who that may be, will beat the hell out of them, and everyone will once again question why team President Matt Millen still has a job.
Then there is Dallas, "America's Team." Yes, they have a large fan base across the country. And yes, they usually field a pretty decent team. But come on, most fans are sick of seeing that Dallas star at midfield and those pretty silver and blue uniforms. As a Giants fan, I am pretty tired of seeing them myself, especially after witnessing quarterback Tony Romo's spectacular performance this year. As there are many people that love the Cowboys, there are probably about an equal number of fans who despise them.
Some people do not like the fact that Detroit (in all its perpetual haplessness) and Dallas (with all its opponents) get the chance to play on every Thanksgiving. Critics of this custom make some valid arguments. Why should the Lions, who annually have one of the worst teams in professional football, have the right to play on a national holiday every single year? I am sure that there are not many people outside of Detroit who look forward to watching the mighty Lions take the field each Thanksgiving. Everyone knows what is going to happen anyway: Detroit's opponent, no matter who that may be, will beat the hell out of them, and everyone will once again question why team President Matt Millen still has a job.
Then there is Dallas, "America's Team." Yes, they have a large fan base across the country. And yes, they usually field a pretty decent team. But come on, most fans are sick of seeing that Dallas star at midfield and those pretty silver and blue uniforms. As a Giants fan, I am pretty tired of seeing them myself, especially after witnessing quarterback Tony Romo's spectacular performance this year. As there are many people that love the Cowboys, there are probably about an equal number of fans who despise them.
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