What traditions come to mind when you think of Thanksgiving? Perhaps it’s that second helping of sweet potato pie you always indulge in, or helping your family prepare each delicious dish together. Or maybe it’s catching a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl! Watching or participating in football is truly an all-American tradition. But did you know that this custom dates back almost all the way back to the very first Thanksgiving?
College Football Kicks it Off
In 1869, just six years after Turkey Day number one, the college football scene in Philadelphia, PA created the origins of this event. The Young American Cricket Club and the Germantown Cricket Club played a landmark game on Thanksgiving, which would soon start as its own trend in New York City. From 1876 to 1881, Princeton played against Yale every year on Thanksgiving. Come 1882, the Intercollegiate Football Association decided to make this tradition official. Today, Thanksgiving football games are as culturally relevant to the US as apple pie. As for the term “Turkey Bowl”? When high school leagues started to name their games after the tasty bird enjoyed ‘round the table on Thanksgiving, the coinage simply stuck!
Turkey Bowl From Home…
With the NFL hosting three thrilling games airing at different times on November 28th, you definitely won’t have trouble finding football games to watch on Thanksgiving this year! Tune in throughout the day to watch the Chicago Bears play Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills against Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints versus Atlanta Falcons. Check out when the games are scheduled beforehand so you and your family can sit back, relax, and cheer on your favorite teams together!
…Or Out and About!
While watching from the comfort of your couch is always fun, sometimes the game is better with a more spirited crowd. Thankfully, the Downtown LA sports bar scene is sure to be active this Thanksgiving. Check out this list for a selection of where to enjoy a cocktail (or two!) while you cheer on your team. Rather throw a football match all your own? Why not consider organizing a community game at a park close to home? That way, you can spread some friendly competition and team-bonding within the Circa LA neighborhood!
If you’re not sure what day is Thanksgiving 2019, be sure to keep November 28th in your planner. Whether you watch the pros duke it out from your living room, on a barstool with friends, or start a football tradition all your own, you just might feel a little closer to traditional American culture as well as family when you toss this sport into the mix this year. Happy Thanksgiving!