Every Thursday on Thanksgiving, we gather around our dinner tables to chow down on immense amounts of food. Although this tradition is quite historic and has been going on since 1621, a newer, but still old tradition has been entertaining people since the early 1900’s: Thanksgiving Football. This year, the Philadelphia Eagles play the Detroit Lions, the Chicago Bears play the Green Bay Packers, and the Carolina Panthers play the Dallas Cowboys.

Some traditions that the NFL have are annual games hosted by certain teams. Every year since 1934, the Lions have played on Thanksgiving. In 2006, it ended up becoming two games hosted by the Lions and Cowboys as well as an extra third game. There is a turkey present at the game, and the game’s MVP gets a celebratory bite out of the leg. Also, numerous awards have been given out to these players, depending on which national broadcast hosted the game.

The first Thanksgiving games were played in 1869, while the first professional game held was in 1892. One of the most impressive wins in recent history was the New England Patriots defeating the New York Jets 49-19, a game in which Mark Sanchez’s infamous “butt fumble” took place. Also, a game between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers saw the Lions score 37 points in a row, leading to a 40-10 blowout.

Last year, the games were all decided by more than ten points. One amazing performance came out of the Seattle Seahawks’ defense, when they only let up 164 total yards and three points. This game was pivotal, as the Seahawks ended up winning all of the rest of their games that season. It also signified the “beginning of the end” for the 49ers, who ended up missing the playoffs.

“Watching football is always fun, and watching it on Thanksgiving is a fun way to celebrate the holiday,” said 8th grader Alex Lee. Many new traditions could be observed just by watching. Whether you are gathered around the dining table with friends and family or having a night for yourself, Thanksgiving football is yet another way to make Thanksgiving entertaining for everyone.