When it comes to Thanksgiving Day, the turkey is the star of the show. There are many great sides and desserts, but they call the holiday Turkey Day for a reason!
The late, great NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden loved turkey. In fact, he loved it so much that he was largely responsible for introducing turduckens to the world.
What Is a Turducken?
A turducken is a dish that brings three great proteins together as one. It is made when you stuff a deboned chicken into a deboned duck into a deboned turkey.
Traditionally, there are layers of stuffing in between each bird, completing the culinary masterpiece that many enjoy this time each year.
Who Invented Turducken?
This question sparks debate within the culinary world, as two people claim ownership of the creation.
Chef Paul Prudhomme claims that he invented it in the 1970s. However, Hebert’s Specialty Meats in Maurice, Louisiana, claims that they invented it in 1985 after a customer came in and asked for the creation.
It’s unclear who actually invented the dish, but one thing is certain: Madden was the one who popularized the dish and made turducken part of the zeitgeist.
John Madden Popularized Turducken
Madden was first introduced to the culinary wonder during a game between the St. Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints in 1996. After the majestic beast was brought to the booth, Madden sampled it and instantly fell in love with the creation.
From that point on, Madden made it a trademark of his and would often mention it during broadcasts, especially around Thanksgiving.
Nobody loves a Turducken more than John Madden ❤️ #MaddenThanksgiving pic.twitter.com/xPTSnaKGLz
— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2024
The turducken craze took on a life of its own thanks in large part to Madden and the NFL broadcasts. The dish has become a talking point and cultural staple during NFL Thanksgiving broadcasts ever since.
2024 NFL Thanksgiving Games Schedule
The NFL has played games on Thanksgiving Day since the league’s inception in 1920, meaning this tradition dates back more than 100 years. This year, fans will be able to enjoy three divisional matchups. Here’s the complete schedule for the NFL Thanksgiving Games:
Game 1: Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
- Time: 12:30 PM ET
- Channel: CBS/Paramount+
Game 2: New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Time: 4:30 PM ET
- Channel: FOX
Game 3: Miami Dolphins vs. Green Bay Packers
- Time: 8:20 PM ET
- Channel: NBC/Peacock
The day kicks off with the Detroit Lions, a Thanksgiving tradition since 1934. Jared Goff and Co. will take on No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears.
Then, CeeDee Lamb and the Dallas Cowboys will take center stage, a custom dating back to 1966. The Cowboys will face the New York Giants in the afternoon slot.
Finally, the evening game features a thrilling primetime showdown between the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers, rounding out a football-filled holiday.
How to Watch the NFL Thanksgiving Games 2024
There are several ways to tune in to this year’s NFL Thanksgiving Games:
- Cable/Satellite: CBS, FOX, and NBC will air the three games (in that order), ensuring wide accessibility for traditional TV viewers.
- Streaming: Paramount+ will air the Bears-Lions game, while Peacock will broadcast the Dolphins-Packers contest.
- Other Options: For cord-cutters, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV offer live access to the games. Some streaming services offer free trials for new users, which allow you to watch the games without a subscription.