The Three F's of Thanksgiving: Family, Food...and Football?!

When you think of Thanksgiving—is "football" one of the three F's that come to mind? For many Americans, the fourth Thursday in November is about family, food and football. For others, it might be turkey and stuffing? A much needed national holiday/short break? Perhaps the third F is Friendsgiving. With the recent passing of Matthew Perry, the origin story of Friendsgiving is recognized and celebrated. For me,  Thanksgiving is a day of three Fs and two S's: sports and spirituality. 

For 25 years now, students, parents, alumni, teachers and friends have gathered at Lake Merced for the St. Ignatius Turkey Trot. I am happy to report we raised over $1000 for the St. Anthony Foundation. One family went to Mass before the trot; they said the church was packed. 

It's good for all of us to pause, give thanks, and have fun. Yes, we will take in too many carbs. Others will be over-served in other ways. Some of you will toss a football and plenty others will watch it. And, since 1934, one of those two teams has been and remains the Detroit Lions.

As mentioned on ESPN Daily "no other team in professional sports can claim to be as much a part of an American holiday as the Detroit Lions." Due to World War II, they did not play from 1939-1944. However, the Lions have played on every single Thanksgiving holiday since. 

Eric Woodyard, a Michigan native and Lions insider said "I have to say, the Thanksgiving day Lions bit, is probably the single best marketing tool that they have. Even though they are not a very good franchise, if ask anyone on thing they know about the Detroit Lions, it's that they play on Thanksgiving."

"If you're a Lions fan, most of those Thanksgiving games this century have say in your stomach like leftovers gone bad...but as a quick look at the standings show, it's a new day in Motown."

Though they are 6 and 16 this century, the Lions lead the NFC North with an 8-3 record. They have some star power in WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and Defensive End Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions were the featured team in the 2022 Hard Knocks Training Camp series. I have done everything in my power to rewatch these series; I hope HBO makes it available again. Though he did not make the ¡Coaches Caliente! calendar, Dan Campbell has brought the team to relevance once more. Yes, Detroit fans have much to be thankful for.

I recommend listening to The Lions Look to Flip Their Thanksgiving Day Script. Though the team fell to the Packers 29-22, this particular podcast helped me frame how I enjoy spending the Thanksgiving holiday: start the day with faith and fitness, grab a football and conclude the night with friends and family. Given that my family eats turkey in the evening, we will be slightly distracted knowing that the Niners and Seahawks are in a battle for first place in the NFC West.

And my only other question is about marketing tools: I think the Lions use of Honolulu blue is right up there with this one. While I don't like the all-grays, that Honolulu blue is awesome. 

How do you frame your holiday? Do you have any traditions that include sports and spirituality?

Photo Credits
Signage
Dan Campbell