Welcome to Thanksgiving in the NFL: A Feast of Football, History, and Tradition
Thanksgiving Day isn’t just about turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie—it’s also about football. For sports fans, the holiday is synonymous with a full day of gridiron action, from high school games in the morning to the NFL matchups that dominate the afternoon and evening. It’s a tradition that feels as old as time itself—or at least as old as the Detroit Lions playing on Thanksgiving.
Since 1934, the Detroit Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving Day game every year, with the exception of a brief hiatus during World War II from 1939 to 1944. The tradition expanded in the 1960s when the Dallas Cowboys joined the holiday lineup. In 2006, the NFL added a third game to the prime-time slot, giving fans even more to be thankful for.
The 2024 Thanksgiving Day Schedule
This year’s Thanksgiving games promise to deliver plenty of excitement, and each will feature a halftime performance. Country artist Shaboozey will take the stage in Detroit, Lainey Wilson will perform in Dallas, and violinist Lindsey Stirling will entertain fans in Green Bay. It’s a feast for the ears as well as the eyes.
How It All Began
The Lions were the first to host: The Thanksgiving tradition started in 1934 when Lions owner G.A. Richards scheduled a holiday matchup against the Chicago Bears. Richards had recently purchased the Portsmouth Spartans and relocated the team to Detroit, renaming them the Lions. The inaugural game saw the Bears defeat the Lions 19-16 in front of 26,000 fans at the University of Detroit Stadium. Nine decades later, the Lions have a Thanksgiving record of 37-45-2. — Woodyard
The Cowboys joined in 1966: The Cowboys played their first Thanksgiving game in 1966, defeating the Cleveland Browns 26-14 at the Cotton Bowl. General manager Tex Schramm saw the holiday game as an opportunity to gain national exposure for the team, which wasn’t yet known as “America’s Team.” The NFL guaranteed the Cowboys a certain amount of gate revenue, and 80,259 fans showed up, cementing the tradition. The Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving every year since, except in 1975 and 1977. — Archer
Why the two-year break? In 1975 and 1977, then-commissioner Pete Rozelle experimented with having the St. Louis Cardinals host Thanksgiving games to boost their popularity. The experiment flopped, and the Cowboys reclaimed their Thanksgiving slot permanently. “It was a dud in St. Louis,” Schramm said in 1988. “Pete asked if we’d take it back. I said only if we get it permanently. It’s something you have to build as a tradition. He said, ‘It’s yours forever.’” — Archer
Thanksgiving Records
With decades of Thanksgiving games under their belts, it’s no surprise that the Lions hold the record for the most wins and losses on the holiday. Here’s how the records stack up:
- Detroit Lions: 37-45-2
- Dallas Cowboys: 33-22-1
- Chicago Bears: 20-15-2
- Green Bay Packers: 15-20-2
What’s It Like to Play on Thanksgiving?
For players, Thanksgiving games are a unique experience. Cowboys guard Zack Martin grew up watching the Lions and Cowboys play on Thanksgiving and now finds himself part of the tradition. “It’s just that tradition that you know the Cowboys play on Thanksgiving,” Martin said. “Being part of that is pretty cool.” After the game, Martin and his family enjoy their Thanksgiving meal on Friday. — Archer
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown also embraces the tradition. “It’s fun, and everyone’s tuned in on Thanksgiving,” he said. “Everyone is watching football. I remember as a kid, watching Thanksgiving football because you’re out eating with friends and then you just throw football on.” — Woodyard
Giving Back to the Community
Thanksgiving is also a time for giving back, and both the Lions and Cowboys take this to heart. The Cowboys kick off the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign at halftime of their Thanksgiving game, a tradition that has raised nearly $3 billion since 1997. Players often visit Salvation Army shelters to serve meals, a practice that resumed in 2022 after a brief pause during the pandemic. — Archer
The Lions distribute 2,500 meal kits, each containing about 26 pounds of food, to families in need throughout Metro Detroit. This effort feeds approximately 56,000 people. — Woodyard
Thanksgiving by the Numbers
Here are some fun Thanksgiving football stats:
- 1: Number of teams to never play on Thanksgiving: Jacksonville Jaguars
- 6: Most passing touchdowns in a single Thanksgiving game, held by Bob Griese (1977) and Peyton Manning (2004).
- 18: Most career touchdown passes on Thanksgiving, held by Tony Romo and Matthew Stafford.
- 3,000: Most career passing yards on Thanksgiving, held by Stafford in 10 games.
Thanksgiving’s Best Moments
Some of the most iconic moments in NFL history have happened on Thanksgiving. In 1974, backup quarterback Clint Longley led the Cowboys to a stunning 24-23 comeback win over Washington with a 50-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds. In 1980, the Bears defeated the Lions 23-17 in overtime thanks to Dave Williams’ 95-yard kickoff return, the first overtime game in Thanksgiving history.
Thanksgiving football is more than just a game—it’s a celebration of tradition, community, and unforgettable moments. So, as you gather around the table this year, don’t forget to tune in and be part of the history.
Originally Written by: Todd Archer and Eric Woodyard
