Thanksgiving 2021 First Game Open Thread

In a happy coincidence that is in no way ironic or predictive, in the middle of the Great Depression in the year 1934, the Detroit Lions were born. A rich person named G.A. Richards bought the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans and, in traditional NFL fashion, quickly moved them to another city to try and make a quick buck. As part of the “incentive” package for him to build the team and a following, the NFL allowed him to host a game on Thanksgiving against the Chicago Bears, who were the defending back-to-back champions.

The Lions lost, but they were able to get a commitment from the NFL to continue to host the Thanksgiving game thanks to Richards owning television stations and securing a broadcast deal. Nearly 90 years later, the Lions are once again hosting the Bears on Thanksgiving.

In fact, Bears-Lions is a very common matchup in history. If you don’t count the clashes in Roman times, they have met 13 times on National Fatass Day. Only the Packers have met the Lions more times on Thanksgiving.

In case you haven’t watched the NFL at all in your lifetime, the Lions have a losing record on Thanksgiving with 37 wins, 42 losses, and an incredible 2 ties.

We’re all feeling another tie, right?

This post is going live (I hope. The gerbil that powers this place pulled a hammy this week and things have been… dicey) at 10 AM DFO time, which is 11 Eastern and 8 Pacific. The game starts at 9:30 AM Pacific, so that means we have about 1 1/2 hours before kickoff.

I’m hoping you’re not spending that time travelling. I heard traffic is horrible. Much better to make yourself a Caesar, start the morning food spread, and get that turkey in the oven.

If you’re into that type of thing.

I myself will be sleeping in today, working out, and then tuning in. I made a pecan pie that turned out pretty good two days ago and we’re having Trader Joe’s side dishes for dinner. We’re only 3 people; a turkey would be a waste. Besides, I maintain that the best thing about Thanksgiving dinner is always the side dishes and never the main course. Feed me those side dishes all weekend and I’m a happy camper.

What are you making for today’s food orgy? Please share in the comments.

Oh, and watch the game too and comment on how badly played it will be. Because it will be. It’s the Bears against the Lions. We’ve touched ourselves all year and this is what we deserve.

Before I go, many people have special movies or TV show episodes that they watch at Christmastime with friends and/or family. As far as I know, no such tradition exists for Thanksgiving.

Well, I’m here to change that.

I could not find the full episode online and I do not know where to find it on streaming devices, but do yourself a favour and hunt down the WKRP In Cincinnati Thanksgiving Episode.

As King Hippo says, it’s MANDATORY!

Here is the best part: