Mike Tomlin says its and honor to be part of Thanksgiving football
Published November 22, 3:31 EDT
by Bo Marchionte
Pittsburgh – While the World Cup is taking over the worldwide spotlight. Here in the states, there is one sport that resonates with Americans most.
Football.
It’s John Madden introducing us to the six-legged turkey that became known as the turducken. The sport is woven deep into the fabric of this nation.
Combine Thanksgiving and football together and you end up with one of the most beloved holiday traditions here in the USA.
“I just think it’s part of the love affair that our country has with this game,” Mike Tomlin said about how the game of football itself has also impacted his own life.
Beginning to crack a smile at the podium during his weekly press conference, Tomlin fondly engaged in his memories of Thanksgiving and what it meant to him growing up.
As a kid, Tomlin wasn’t worried about sitting down and eating as much as he was being able to play the game that has led him to be a Super Bowl winning head coach.
“Turkey bowls as a young guy…,” Tomlin said. “Forget watching football; as a young guy, it was about playing football on Thanksgiving.”
While millions of Americans grew up with the same experiences of backyard football games, coined ‘Turkey Bowls’. Tomlin grew up to be part of the select few that are part of the National Football League.
“As a professional and somebody that’s been in this business and having participated on that day and some of the Thanksgiving Day games, man, it is an honor,” Tomlin said.
“It’s something that we appreciate, to have an opportunity to participate, to, to be a part of quality times for families on days like that.”
Since 1934, when the Detroit Lions welcomed the Chicago Bears to University of Detroit Stadium.
This holiday tradition has grown from one game. To two games. Currently, three games are plays on Thanksgiving.
Encompassing the entire day with football.
Tomlin was once just like the rest of us, watching football as our stomachs tried to digest the disgusting amounts of food eaten before kickoff.
Despite being full, most of us eagerly await halftime to commence in the chance to piled high another plate of turkey and all the trimmings.
Tomlin knows that feeling, honored in the opportunity to be part of the day that so many Americans cherish and treasure.
“I remember when we were in Indy a number of years ago (November 25th, 2016), we played on Thanksgiving,” Tomlin said. “I was really appreciative of the opportunity of going into the living rooms of America, man, and being a part of that day for them.
“I talked to the team about it. There are a lot of challenges in professional sport, working through the holidays and so forth, man, but it’s an awesome opportunity as well. It’s something that we’re appreciative of.
“We remember our days as football lovers when we weren’t direct participants and how significant weeks like this were for young people and for families and it’s an honor to be a component of it.”
It nice to know the fan in Tomlin remains intact. His passion for coaching is still associated with being a fan of the game at heart. A love affair as he mentioned that started as a young boy playing in the turkey bowl.
Tomlin and his Steelers will be home for the Thanksgiving, but travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts Monday night.
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt