Thanksgiving is a time to hang out with family and friends and enjoy the comforts of home. It is also a time to enjoy the unofficial sport of Thanksgiving: football. So, this year I played in the 5th annual Caldwell, New Jersey, "Turkey Bowl" with a few friends from high school.
Being that I have never been in or seen a Turkey Bowl, I thought that it would be an interesting event to write about. Although the game itself was a shootout (Final Score: 90-72), all the guys that played in the game never let the feeling of competition overwhelm them. It was a rainy, slippery, good time that would have made Jim Brown proud.
Kickoff was set for 1:00 p.m. on Friday with a gray and rainy forecast in store for us. The players were slowly arriving right up until game time, which gave the game a tangible sense of anticipation. Once everyone arrived, greetings were given out to old friends and new ones, and the teams separated, ready to play. Because of the two sides' transcendent offenses, the scoring was quick and constant. At one point, there must have been five straight possessions that led to five straight scores. For a bunch of cigarette-smoking, beer-drinking dudes, the showings of athleticism were equally as impressive as the score.
Many guys were making running and diving catches, long touchdown runs, and tough throws. Even though the game was competitive, no one got too into it or started being "that guy" that ruined it for everyone else. Turkey Bowl 2016 was my first game, but it definitely won't be my last.
