Football is a beloved sport in the United States, and Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings families and friends together. So it's no surprise that the two have been intertwined for decades, with football games becoming a staple of the Thanksgiving Day tradition.
Thanksgiving football dates back to the late 1800s, when college and professional teams began playing games on the holiday. The first official NFL Thanksgiving game was held in 1934, and the tradition has continued ever since. Today, there are typically three NFL games played on Thanksgiving Day, with the early game starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, the late afternoon game starting at 4:30 p.m. ET, and the prime-time game starting at 8:20 p.m. ET.
In addition to the NFL, there are also a number of college football games played on Thanksgiving Day. These games are typically played between smaller schools, but they can still be very exciting and competitive.
who plays football on thanksgiving
Thanksgiving football is a long-standing tradition in the United States.
- NFL games since 1934
- Three games on Thanksgiving Day
- Early game, late game, prime-time game
- College football games also played
- Family and friends gather to watch
Thanksgiving football is a time for family, friends, and football fans to come together and celebrate the holiday.
NFL games since 1934
The tradition of NFL football on Thanksgiving Day dates back to 1934, when the Detroit Lions hosted the Chicago Bears in the first-ever Thanksgiving Day game.
- Annual tradition:
Since 1934, there has been an NFL game played on Thanksgiving Day every year, making it one of the longest-running traditions in the NFL.
- Three games:
In 2006, the NFL expanded the Thanksgiving Day schedule to three games, with the early game starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, the late afternoon game starting at 4:30 p.m. ET, and the prime-time game starting at 8:20 p.m. ET.
- Lions and Cowboys:
The Detroit Lions have played in more Thanksgiving Day games than any other team, with 36 appearances. The Dallas Cowboys are a close second, with 31 appearances. Both teams have a strong tradition of playing on Thanksgiving Day, and their games are always highly anticipated.
- National holiday:
Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States, and football has become an integral part of the holiday tradition. For many families, watching football on Thanksgiving Day is a way to spend time together and celebrate the holiday.
NFL football on Thanksgiving Day is a tradition that is enjoyed by millions of people across the United States. It is a day for family, friends, and football fans to come together and celebrate the holiday.
Three games on Thanksgiving Day
In 2006, the NFL expanded the Thanksgiving Day schedule to three games, with the early game starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, the late afternoon game starting at 4:30 p.m. ET, and the prime-time game starting at 8:20 p.m. ET.
The early game is typically played between two teams from the NFC and AFC, and it is often a matchup between two of the league's top teams. The late afternoon game is usually a matchup between two teams from the same division, and it can have a big impact on the playoff race. The prime-time game is the most anticipated game of the day, and it is often a matchup between two of the league's most popular teams.
The three games on Thanksgiving Day are always highly anticipated, and they are a great way to spend the holiday with family and friends. Fans can enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal, watch some exciting football, and cheer on their favorite teams.
Here are some additional details about the three games on Thanksgiving Day:
- The early game is usually played in a cold-weather city, such as Detroit, Green Bay, or Chicago.
- The late afternoon game is usually played in a warm-weather city, such as Dallas, Houston, or New Orleans.
- The prime-time game is always played in a major media market, such as New York, Los Angeles, or Philadelphia.
- The three games on Thanksgiving Day are always televised nationally, and they are watched by millions of people across the country.
Thanksgiving football is a tradition that is enjoyed by millions of people across the United States. It is a day for family, friends, and football fans to come together and celebrate the holiday.
Early game, late game, prime-time game
The three games on Thanksgiving Day are typically referred to as the early game, the late afternoon game, and the prime-time game.
- Early game:
The early game is typically played at 12:30 p.m. ET, and it is usually a matchup between two teams from the NFC and AFC. The early game is often played in a cold-weather city, such as Detroit, Green Bay, or Chicago.
- Late afternoon game:
The late afternoon game is typically played at 4:30 p.m. ET, and it is usually a matchup between two teams from the same division. The late afternoon game can have a big impact on the playoff race, as it can help one team clinch a playoff berth or eliminate another team from contention. The late afternoon game is often played in a warm-weather city, such as Dallas, Houston, or New Orleans.
- Prime-time game:
The prime-time game is typically played at 8:20 p.m. ET, and it is always the most anticipated game of the day. The prime-time game is usually a matchup between two of the league's most popular teams, and it is often played in a major media market, such as New York, Los Angeles, or Philadelphia.
All three games on Thanksgiving Day are televised nationally, and they are watched by millions of people across the country. Thanksgiving football is a tradition that is enjoyed by families and friends all across the United States.
College football games also played
In addition to the NFL games, there are also a number of college football games played on Thanksgiving Day.
- Smaller schools:
The college football games played on Thanksgiving Day are typically between smaller schools, such as FCS and Division II teams. However, there are occasionally some matchups between FBS teams, especially if one of the teams is from a military academy.
- Regional rivalries:
Many of the college football games played on Thanksgiving Day are regional rivalries. For example, the Turkey Day Classic is played annually between the University of Massachusetts and the University of New Hampshire. The Rivalry on the Rails is played annually between the University of Montana and Montana State University.
- Long-standing tradition:
The tradition of playing college football games on Thanksgiving Day dates back to the late 1800s. Some of the games, such as the Turkey Day Classic, have been played for over 100 years.
- Family and friends:
Just like the NFL games, the college football games played on Thanksgiving Day are a great way for family and friends to come together and celebrate the holiday. Many people make a tradition of attending these games every year.
College football games on Thanksgiving Day may not get as much attention as the NFL games, but they are still a great way to enjoy the holiday and celebrate the sport of football.
Family and friends gather to watch
Thanksgiving football is a great way for family and friends to come together and celebrate the holiday.
- Shared tradition:
Watching football on Thanksgiving is a shared tradition for many families. It is a time when family members of all ages can come together and enjoy a game of football.
- Quality time:
Watching football on Thanksgiving is a great way to spend quality time with family and friends. You can talk about the game, share some laughs, and enjoy each other's company.
- Delicious food:
Thanksgiving is a time for delicious food, and football is a great excuse to indulge. You can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal, or you can order some takeout from your favorite restaurant.
- Creating memories:
Watching football on Thanksgiving is a great way to create memories that will last a lifetime. You can take pictures, share stories, and laugh about the game for years to come.
Thanksgiving football is a tradition that is enjoyed by millions of people across the United States. It is a day for family, friends, and football fans to come together and celebrate the holiday.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about who plays football on Thanksgiving:
Question 1: Which NFL teams play on Thanksgiving Day?
Answer: The Detroit Lions have played in more Thanksgiving Day games than any other team, with 36 appearances. The Dallas Cowboys are a close second, with 31 appearances.
Question 2: What time are the NFL games on Thanksgiving Day?
Answer: There are typically three NFL games played on Thanksgiving Day, with the early game starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, the late afternoon game starting at 4:30 p.m. ET, and the prime-time game starting at 8:20 p.m. ET.
Question 3: Are there any college football games played on Thanksgiving Day?
Answer: Yes, there are a number of college football games played on Thanksgiving Day. These games are typically played between smaller schools, such as FCS and Division II teams.
Question 4: Why is football so popular on Thanksgiving Day?
Answer: Football is a popular sport in the United States, and Thanksgiving is a national holiday. So it's no surprise that the two have been intertwined for decades, with football games becoming a staple of the Thanksgiving Day tradition.
Question 5: What are some of the traditions associated with Thanksgiving football?
Answer: Some of the traditions associated with Thanksgiving football include eating a delicious Thanksgiving meal, watching the games with family and friends, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Question 6: How can I watch the Thanksgiving Day football games?
Answer: The Thanksgiving Day football games are televised nationally, so you can watch them on your local TV station or on a streaming service.
Question 7: What are some of the best Thanksgiving football games of all time?
Answer: Some of the best Thanksgiving football games of all time include the 1934 Lions-Bears game, the 1962 Lions-Packers game, and the 1989 Cowboys-Redskins game.
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These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about who plays football on Thanksgiving. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below.
In addition to the FAQ, here are a few tips for enjoying Thanksgiving football:
Tips
Here are a few tips for enjoying Thanksgiving football:
Tip 1: Plan ahead:
Make sure you know which games are being played on Thanksgiving Day and what time they start. You may also want to plan your meals and snacks ahead of time so that you don't miss any of the action.
Tip 2: Invite friends and family:
Thanksgiving football is a great way to spend time with family and friends. Invite them over to watch the games and enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal.
Tip 3: Get comfortable:
Make sure you have a comfortable place to watch the games. You may want to set up a TV in the living room or den, or you may want to watch the games on your laptop or tablet.
Tip 4: Enjoy the food:
Thanksgiving is a time for delicious food, so make sure you enjoy it! You can cook a traditional Thanksgiving meal, or you can order takeout from your favorite restaurant.
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These are just a few tips for enjoying Thanksgiving football. By following these tips, you can make sure that you have a fun and memorable holiday.
Thanksgiving football is a tradition that is enjoyed by millions of people across the United States. It is a day for family, friends, and football fans to come together and celebrate the holiday.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving football is a tradition that is enjoyed by millions of people across the United States. It is a day for family, friends, and football fans to come together and celebrate the holiday.
In this article, we have discussed who plays football on Thanksgiving. We have learned that the NFL has been playing games on Thanksgiving Day since 1934, and that there are now three games played on the holiday. We have also learned that there are a number of college football games played on Thanksgiving Day, and that these games are often between smaller schools.
Finally, we have provided some tips for enjoying Thanksgiving football. We have suggested planning ahead, inviting friends and family, getting comfortable, and enjoying the food.
We hope that this article has helped you to learn more about who plays football on Thanksgiving. We encourage you to tune in to the games on Thanksgiving Day and enjoy this special tradition.
Closing Message
Happy Thanksgiving to all!