The Thanksgiving tradition began back in 1876, when the Intercollegiate Football Association began hosting their championship game on the holiday. School colors are often linked to football teams, and landmark events like homecoming are typically tied to a football game. “Of course they played on Thanksgiving, because by 1920 Thanksgiving meant football and football meant Thanksgiving,” Andrews said. It’s during that shift that the Dallas Cowboys, who also play every year on the holiday, started their Thanksgiving tradition. So in 1966, they began to host a Thanksgiving game, Andrews said, bringing instant exposure to the team.

Source: CNN November 22, 2023 18:39 UTC