Thanksgiving | ep. 9
Turkey, Traditions & Thanksgiving Football
How the Gridiron Shapes the Holiday — From Family Tables to NFL Kickoffs
Thanksgiving in America isn’t just about turkey, pumpkin pie, and time with loved ones — it’s also football season’s most cherished tradition. In this short, festive episode of The Family Business with Norv & Stephanie Turner, legendary coach Norv Turner and his daughter Stephanie break down how Thanksgiving football reshapes a family’s week, influences coaching strategies, and keeps fans deeply connected to the game.
From historical rivalries to modern NFL planning, this episode blends holiday culture with football insight in a way both casual fans and hardcore enthusiasts will enjoy.
Why Football and Thanksgiving Go Hand in Hand
American football has been part of Thanksgiving celebrations for well over a century — from high school “Turkey Bowl” contests to the NFL’s long-standing holiday matchups. Since the Detroit Lions first hosted games on Thanksgiving in 1934 and the Dallas Cowboys began their tradition in 1966, football has become as synonymous with the holiday as family dinners and fall parades.
In this episode, Norv and Stephanie explore:
How Thanksgiving football becomes part of family routines, shaping how weeks are planned around games and meals.
Why teams like the Cowboys and Lions have deep holiday roots, and how television helped cement these traditions.
The compressed coaching schedule — where Wednesday prep feels like a Saturday game plan — and why adapting to that rhythm is part of football’s unique Thanksgiving dynamic.
Football’s Holiday Schedule: More Than Just One Day
While football is a Thanksgiving staple, the episode makes it clear that the holiday isn’t just one afternoon of games. Coaches and players must adjust on short notice, juggling practice plans, travel logistics, and player rest — all while the rest of America shifts into holiday mode. Norv shares insights into how the short week affects both preparation and play-calling, and how teams turn potential chaos into competitive advantage.
Whether it’s lions vs. packers, chiefs vs. cowboys, or other marquee matchups, Norv and Stephanie offer keen observations on how each team’s tendencies and edge matchups could shape outcomes.
More Than Football — It’s About Tradition
What makes this episode stand out is its blend of football expertise and holiday sentiment. Beyond analysis of schemes and scheduling, Norv and Stephanie touch on how football becomes part of the family narrative — how kids remember games long after the turkey is gone, and how parents turn kickoff times into treasured traditions.
It’s a reminder that football on Thanksgiving isn’t just sport — it’s a cultural ritual that connects generations, amplifying the meaning of the holiday itself.
Why You Should Watch
If you love Thanksgiving football — whether from the couch, the stadium, or the dinner table — this episode delivers:
Insider perspective on how coaches plan around a holiday schedule.
Historical and cultural context about football’s place in Thanksgiving traditions.
Personal reflections that make the game feel like part of the family celebration.
So grab another slice of pie, cue up the episode, and enjoy football — not just as a game — but as a Thanksgiving tradition worth savoring.
🎧 Watch “Turkey, Traditions, And Thanksgiving Football” on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/gwCLfk7gots