Thanksgiving Day offers a plethora of food-pairing options for both those who are culinary inclined and those who are more straightforward in their food consumption preferences.
But the annual American holiday is also a reminder of perhaps the most excellent pairing the football world has to offer: John Madden and Thanksgiving Day football.
Here’s a closer look at the many thoughtful ways the NFL world will honor the late Hall of Famer.
NFL Teams Honor John Madden With Thanksgiving Patch
Each of the six teams taking the field today will wear a special uniform patch paying tribute to John Madden. The design features a black-and-gold silhouette of Madden wearing his signature broadcast headset.
While Madden left a massive mark on the NFL as head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978, his influence as a broadcaster reached even greater heights.
From the booth, Madden connected with viewers for decades, breaking down the sport with unmatched clarity and enthusiasm. His ability to make football fun and easy to understand drew in both die-hard followers and brand-new fans.
One of Madden’s favorite traditions, and a core memory for millions watching at home, was calling a game every Thanksgiving. He embraced the holiday showcase with pure joy, helping cement Thanksgiving football as one of the NFL’s most beloved yearly events.
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“There’s no place that I would rather be today on Thanksgiving than right here, right now at a football game,” the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website quoted Madden once saying in a broadcast. “There’s just certain things that go together — the turkey, the family, tradition, and football.”
How Will the NFL and Broadcast Partners Honor John Madden on Thanksgiving?
This year marks the fourth straight season that the NFL will honor the late John Madden with its annual Thanksgiving Celebration. Madden, who passed away in December 2021, remains one of the most influential figures in league history, and the tribute spans each of the three holiday matchups.
FOX will carry the opening game, featuring the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. CBS will air the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys in the afternoon slot, followed by NBC hosting the primetime showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. Throughout each broadcast, fans will see special segments highlighting Madden’s lasting impact as both a Hall of Fame coach and a beloved broadcaster.
The tribute extends onto the field as well. Before the kickoff of every game, a custom coin with Madden’s silhouette on one side and a six-legged turducken on the other will be used for the coin toss. Each stadium will also display unique stencils and signage honoring Madden’s legacy.
Youth Football To Benefit From NFL’s Annual John Madden Celebration
Unsurprisingly, youth football was also near and dear to the heart of Madden. As such, the NFL is incorporating a benefit to youth football in its celebration of the football icon this year.
As stated in the NFL’s press release outlining details of this year’s commemoration of Madden, the three broadcast networks will select a player of the game in their respective contests, and the NFL Foundation will make $10,000 donations to a high school or youth football program in each player’s name.
Additionally, each Madden Thanksgiving MVP will be awarded with the Madden Thanksgiving MVP trophy, created to honor Madden and celebrate everything the game of football means to the Thanksgiving holiday.
