Holidays are used to showcase sports.
The NBA plays on Christmas and has had the highly-anticipated Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal matchup the last few years. The opening tip has never been more scrutinized as fans waited to see how the two rivals would embrace.
What’s more American than eating hot dogs and watching fireworks at the ballpark on the Fourth of July?
Two sports have claimed New Year’s Day. College football has bowl games all day long, although the national championship now is played a week after Jan. 1. And the last two years the NHL has got in the holiday spirit with the Winter Classic being held outdoors at historic venues.
But none of these sports is as synonymous with a particular holiday as football and Thanksgiving. So why are we stuck watching the pathetic Lions every year? Shouldn’t the NFL use this day to showcase their stars?
Well, this year we have the privilege of also watching the Oakland Raiders play on Turkey Day. So arguably the two most dysfunctional franchises in the NFL play on the one day during the regular season where football fans don’t have an option of what afternoon games to watch.
Dallas and Detroit have plenty of history on Thanksgiving Day, but its time to put the quality of the game first.
The NFL moved in the right direction by adding a third game on Thanksgiving night in 2006. This way, at least one game can be competitive.
The glory days of watching Barry Sanders dance around an entire defense and “America’s Team” display one of the most prolific offenses of its time is over.
So enjoy watching a Cowboys team that has averaged seven points in the last two games and a Lions team that is coming off its second win in as many seasons.
