Friday, November 22, 2013

Thanksgiving and Football! Michigan Traditions Highlighted By The Best Sports Bar in Ann Arbor!



Thanksgiving and Michigan Football go together like Turkey and Stuffing!

Do you and your family participate in one of America’s oldest post-Thanksgiving Day traditions?  
 
We don’t mean eating leftovers, although we’re sure you do enough of that, too.
  
We’re talking about watching football!

According to Wikipedia [the authority on everything] the first Thanksgiving Day football game was played in 1869 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  This game between several cricket clubs, occurred roughly two weeks after what is recognized as the first game of American football –played between Rutgers and Princeton on November 17, 1869.  Princeton and Yale began the tradition of collegiate games back in 1876.  Then, in 1882, the Intercollegiate Football Association (IFC) called for the championship game to be played on Thanksgiving Day between the two leading teams. 

The University of Michigan began the tradition of playing on or around Thanksgiving in 1885.  Back then, they typically played the Chicago Maroons.  Of course you all know that the Wolverines now play their arch rivals, the Ohio State Buckeyes, around turkey day. 

Many of you have grown up watching another Michigan team as you feast on turkey and all the trimmings.  The Detroit Lions have been playing home games on Thanksgiving day since 1934.  The only team to come close to that record is the Dallas Cowboys, who have played a home game every year since 1966.  In 2008, some media big-wigs suggested removing Detroit from their Thanksgiving Day game slot.  It seemed that the Lions losing streak didn’t make for high ratings.  However, since the prime time football slot was added, it has taken some of the focus off of Detroit’s lack of performance.  The contract states that until 2022, Detroit and Dallas could take part in “flex scheduling” and play during prime time or their traditional afternoon slot.  Until then, Detroit fans can breathe a sigh of relief. 

This year’s schedule:



Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 28

[We will be closed so our staff can celebrate the holiday.]
 

12:30   Lions and Packers                  Fox

4:30     Cowboys and Raiders            CBS

8:30     Steelers and Ravens              NBC



Saturday, November 30 

 Join us to watch what happens!!!

12:00  Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes  ABC



Join us for a meal and a game soon!  

Sign up for a lunch coupon good through November. 

Check back in December for a new coupon!  



From all of us at The Sports Bar Ann Arbor Westside, we hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Celebrate and give thanks to family, friends and football! 




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