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Thanksgiving Football Facts

Posted in Blog  
Monday, November 24, 2014

FootballSince 1920, the NFL has played Thanksgiving games. Of course, professional football existed before the NFL, and some believe that Thanksgiving football games have been happening professionally since 1892. Not bad considering it has only been a federal holiday since 1863 when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens." Once Thanksgiving games began being broadcast on TV in the 1950s, it’s become an important tradition for many families. Here are some interesting Thanksgiving football facts you can share at the dinner table.

  • The tradition of the Detroit Lions playing on Thanksgiving Day began in 1934. The Lions have played on every Thanksgiving Day since 1934, except during 1941-1944 when no games were played due to WWII.
  • The Detroit Lions have the most wins on Thanksgiving (33), as well as the most losses (38).
  • The Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars have never played on Thanksgiving Day.
  • The Vikings have the highest winning percentage of any team on Thanksgiving with more than 1 appearance. They are 5-1 all-time.
  • Ernie Nevers holds the record for most touchdowns during a Thanksgiving game with 6 in 1929.
  • The Green Bay Packers have the 2nd most Turkey Day losses with 18.
  • Troy Aikman’s 455 passing yards vs. Minnesota in 1998 is most of any QB on Thanksgiving.
  • Other than the Cowboys who have done it three times, the Dolphins are the only other team to win a Thanksgiving day game, and the Super Bowl in the same season.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!