I love to give thanks at this time of the year for everything that has led up to this point. I always look forward to Thanksgiving Day. Turkey, stuffing, corn, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Driving over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers house the Brindgers we would go.

For a couple of days around Thanksgiving the MLB Hotstove dies down and football takes center stage, the NFL. Now as the years have gone on there seems to be more and more Football games popping up on Thanksgiving. I just cannot wait to sit on the sofa after eating a huge meal and catch some good old American pigskin. I find it very relaxing; except for the one year that Pittsburgh was playing Detroit and had a botched coin flip that ended in a nasty loss to the apathetic Lions. All was not well in the Brindger household that night. No one was chipper and re-living family stories and everyone went to their separate rooms, as that is usually what happens when one of the Pittsburgh teams has a major loss. My Dad was a complete recluse for a week after Sid Bream slid into home plate killing all Pirates fans dreams.

Now I pose this question. What would we do if there were no football games on Thanksgiving? I honestly am not sure. Since this has been going on since 1934 when the Lions started the tradition, I am not the right one to know what went on before then. If I had to guess, I would say, the consumption of beer would not change, family bickering was still around, not having the turkey too dry was still a problem.

Now on the other hand if they took away the games now, there would be hell to pay. While the Steelers in my lifetime have played once on Thanksgiving, Dallas and Detroit fans have made this part of their lives. Their Thanksgivings revolve around what time their team is playing. I cannot bear the thought of no football on Thanksgiving, but if it was so, here are the things that I would take its place.

1. Errands

2. Holiday shopping

3. Movies

4. Cricket-JK though it may get me on the Pirates.

5. Gardening

6. Washing the clothes

7. Cleaning

Ok those all sound super boring. I am so glad football on Thanksgiving is here to stay. May it never leave us. For those people who don’t celebrate this holiday, you do not know what you are missing. It is a complete excuse to watch sports, drink beer or wine and eat massive amounts of food with family. Now if that is not a wonderful thing I do not know what is. I am going to leave you with a few pieces of advice.

1. Philly and Seattle, you are going to have bad days unless you beat Dallas and Detroit.

2. Make sure to get a slice of pumpkin pie.

3. No fighting with your brothers and sisters.

4. Enjoy the beer and wine, but know that usually causes the fight with your brothers or sisters.

5. Don’t burn yourself if you decide to deep fry the Turkey. Instruction here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk3OWxpyy-Y. As they say in the video - no open toed sandals.

6. Make sure to go out in the backyard and throw the pigskin. It is good for the soul.