Introduction:
In today’s world, football is considered the most popular game. It is the national game of several countries. In this game, the player has to use his feet to kick the ball and pass it through the goal to score a point. It is played between two teams with 11 players each.
Football is a historic game and if you want to play more games you can go with ESPORTS. Football was invented in the 1860s; even before the 1860s, people played this game with a different name. First, people used to play it in school and then in colleges. Then the football came out to the streets. It was considered a very healthy sport and was promoted to the state level. Gradually states decided to organize football matches. These matches were between different states and gained so much popularity that countries began to manage their national team. Now it is played throughout the year in almost every country.
Thanksgiving and Football:
Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in most countries of the world. It started in the USA to celebrate the blessings of the past year. Over time it was also considered a national holiday in Canada and then in other countries. Since then, it is regarded as a tradition to play a football match on Thanksgiving. In this article, we will discuss the history and reason for playing football matches on Thanksgiving.
History:
It all started in 1863 when American President Abraham Lincoln announced a national holiday, “Thanksgiving Day.” It was decided to celebrate a day for the blessings of the past year. Since then, Thanksgiving has become an American tradition. At the same time, Americans had started playing football on the state level. Football was gaining hype and popularity those days.
In 1969, Philadelphia decided to play a football match on thanksgiving day. It was the first time football was played on Thanksgiving. It was played between Young American Cricket Club and Germantown Cricket Club. Since then, it has become a tradition to play a football match on Thanksgiving.
So from 1869, playing football on Thanksgiving has become a turkey day tradition. People celebrate Thanksgiving by watching a football match with their favorite club or team. Another remembered game on Thanksgiving was played in 1876 between Yale and Princeton. These football matches were on the state level, but with time it was promoted to national level.
Professional Match on Thanksgiving:
In 1920, the first professional football match was played on Thanksgiving. Since then, several professional matches are organized each year on Thanksgiving. It promotes not only the tradition but also the game. One of the most famous games was played between Detroit Lions and the Cowboys. The battle between Lions and Cowboys is considered a rivalry match. Now several football matches are played each year on Thanksgiving not only in America but in all countries as a tradition.
Reasons for playing football on Thanksgiving:
There are several reasons for playing football on Thanksgiving. We will describe some of the highlighting reasons in the following:
Tradition:
As described earlier, the thanksgiving holiday was announced by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. The first football match on Thanksgiving was played in 1869, so it is considered a tradition in America and other countries to play and watch a football match of their favorite club on Thanksgiving. Since it is a holiday, people get plenty of time to watch the game. Alan Varela says Americans are well known for their customs and traditions, promoting their practice each year by watching football.
Lions Vs. Cowboys Rivalry:
Besides tradition, the match between Detroit Lions and Cowboys has a different fan base. These teams always play on Thanksgiving and have a huge fan base throughout the world. So people find it interesting to watch them play.
Since it is a holiday:
As Thanksgiving is a holiday in most countries and football has a huge fan base in developed countries and is considered their favorite leisure, people watch football on that holiday to kill time and get fun since it is a holiday. So, people have plenty of time to watch their favorite sport.
Conclusion:
Thanksgiving is the national holiday in most countries of the world, and playing and watching football on Thanksgiving is considered a tradition in developed countries. People think it a turkey day tradition to watch football on this holiday. Both professional and college matches are organized on this day and are enjoyed throughout the world.
