BY: CULLEN TONGE
With Thanksgiving, all wrapped up and leftovers finally being either finished or thrown out, Christmas is on the way. As Christmas comes, we have to say goodbye to Thanksgiving, or do we? One tradition of Thanksgiving that can continue all the way through the New Year is the one and only “Turkey Bowl.”
A tradition like no other. The annual Turkey Bowl between friends and family. Like mashed potatoes and gravy or pumpkin pie and whipped cream, football and the holidays are an unmatched duo.
The whole process is a bit stressful, to say the least. First deciding who to invite, then creating a group chat with all of them, trying to agree on a date and time to play, setting up the field and rules, and finally getting to play.
The game happens, and everyone is trying their best impressions of their favorite NFL superstars. Whether it be attempting one-handed OBJ like catches, turning on the jets like Tyreek Hill, or launching bombs like Patrick Mahomes, everyone wants to be the star of the game or make the play that will always be remembered.
The game ends, and everyone is dead. The year 2020 has taken so much of our energy away, and most of us haven’t exercised since the beginning of the year. Water bottles are being drained as everyone says their goodbyes, with some people even trying to set up the next big game.
Whether you play on Thanksgiving or any other day, eating a big meal after playing football with the boys is essential. Usually, a hot shower or even an ice bath would follow and lead to a nice long nap. As the day goes on, you look back on what happened and what could have been.
“I could’ve made that catch!” or “Why didn’t he throw it to me?” are thoughts that may run through your head as you finally fall asleep after a long day. Your turkey bowl day is over. The day you had been playing for weeks and been looking forward to since the last game of the year before. Or so you think.
The game and day might be over, but the physical effects are still there and won’t be gone for a while. The aches, the pains, the bruises, the soreness. It’s all moved to the forefront of your mind. To put it bluntly, it flat out sucks. “How do professionals do this every single day and week?” “I can make a one-handed grab too. Why am I not playing college ball right now? Oh, yeah, that’s why. My body sucks.”
Football with friends and family is always one of my favorite times of the year. You can’t deny the adrenaline you get when you get to the field and can’t wait to make the plays you will remember forever. A tradition that is like no other and one that will always live on, football around Thanksgiving is essential.
The Sports Desk can be reached at editorialtrainwrecksports@gmail.com
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