Food, football and good company – Thanksgiving is here. Being with your loved ones is one of the greatest feelings in the world. NFL football on Thanksgiving makes the day that much better. There is nothing like eating and watching the best football players in the world play. On Thanksgiving morning, we are the ones who set the pace for the day. Groups of families and friends gather across the nation to play their annual Turkey Bowl, each with their own (mostly similar) traditions and battle scars.
The Turkey Bowl is played everywhere in our great nation. People wake up in the early morning to meet with family and friends. They gather at their chosen location, saving the playing field till the rest of their group shows up. The teams are split up and sent to battle.
When the dust settles and the smoke clears, one team will be claimed victorious and having bragging rights for the next year. Some groups even have awards for the day’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). The MVP is the player who was a standout and did all he or she could to help their respective team.
Injuries are a risk these warriors take when they step on the field. Some injuries are small, a rolled ankle or a minor bruise; others are major, torn ligaments and broken bones.
Court Warner, a SLCC student, spoke of an injury he witnessed one year, “It was a cold day and the ground was froze over and still thawing out. One guy was getting a little too rough and picking on the smaller kids. My friend’s dad then decided to play and started a battle between him and the other guy. The guy jerked my friend’s dad on the way and went. My friend’s dad lunged and grabbed his shirt, with one arm he pulled him to the solid ground slamming his teeth through his bottom lip. Needless to say it wasn’t pretty and he needed stitches.”
Zach and Jake Allan, both brothers and SLCC students, agree that the turkey bowl is fun but dangerous. Zach claims, “The dangers of football are always there, but it’s a risk we face for the price of fun.”
Jake added, “Man up, take the risk. There are dads there. These old men take risks too and some walk away sore but glad they got a chance to play the game they loved.”
Though many don’t mind the risk, some are afraid, very afraid.
“My boyfriend plays every year and always has me worried sick,” Ally Wisniewski, a former SLCC student said. “I see him getting tackled and every time I hold my breath. I think he does it on purpose though because after every game he ices his knees and I always take care of him and get him anything he needs. Though I worry, I’m just glad he has fun and enjoys the time he has with his friends and family.”
With all contestants beaten and battered, they shake hands and meet for a quick snack. Eating away and reminiscing on the games and past stories, enjoying ones company and being thankful for all they have. Most gather and take a yearly picture to finalize and set in stone that year’s game. The most important thing is to realize all you have and be thankful for what you have because it could be worse.