Glad You Asked: Benjamin Franlin and the turkey; history of the Lions/Cowboys holiday games

By Chris Bennett

Thursday, November 23, 2006 2:14 AM CST

Did Benjamin Franklin really want the turkey to be our National Bird? Franklin wanted the wild turkey to be our object of national avian love and not the vitamin-injected, genetically-engineered and farm-raised bird that today likely graces your dining room table.

The prolific American scientist, inventor, statesman, printer, philosopher, musician, postmaster, volunteer firefighter, economist and lover of houses of prostitution (yes, that's right) thought the turkey to be one bad mamma jamma.

In a letter to his daughter, Franklin wrote, `'For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character.''

Franklin thought the eagle to be of suspect moral character, lazy and dishonest. He elaborated on his affection for the wild turkey in the letter to his daughter.

`'I am on this account not displeased that the figure is not known as a Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the truth, the Turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America ... He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his farm yard with a red coat on.'' Just think if Franklin had his way. Try saying, `'Mom, please pass me more eagle,'' or `'Give me an eagle sandwich on rye with lettuce and brown mustard and a side of potato salad with a small Coke and a cookie.'' Or could you imagine donating to the endangered species relief fund dedicated to saving the wild turkey? That's as crazy as the California condor omelet I ate the other day.

Why do the Lions and Cowboys play on Thanksgiving? Can you gather some history of the Thanksgiving Day game and various teams' win-loss records?

According to the "2006 NFL Record & Fact Book," the Thanksgiving Day tradition dates to 1920. Teams including the Chicago Tigers, Dayton Triangles and Rochester Jeffersons squared-off in six games.

The Chicago Bears entered the picture in 1922 and lost 6-0 to the Chicago Cardinals.

The Racine Legion beat the Milwaukee Badgers 3-0.

The Green Bay Packers played their first Thanksgiving Day game Nov. 29, 1923 and beat the Hammond Pros 19-0. The Badgers shut out Legion 16-0.

The Packers played Detroit on Thanksgiving Day each year from 1923-1932, going 6-4, and again from 1951-1963, going 3-10. The Packers are 11-18-2 in Thanksgiving Day games and last played in 2003, losing 22-14 to the Lions.

Detroit has played every year since 1934. The American Football League played a Turkey Day tilt from 1960-69. The Dallas Cowboys started playing on Thanksgiving Day in 1966, but the then St. Louis Cardinals took their place in 1975 and 1977. It's been Detroit and Dallas every year on Thanksgiving since 1978.

Detroit is 33-30-2 on Thanksgiving Day and Dallas is 23-12-1. Indianapolis beat Detroit 41-9 and Dallas defeated Chicago 21-7 in 2004.

As for who decides the Thanksgiving Day games, the NFL's schedule is determined each year by the league.

For more on Thanksgiving football, visit: http://www.NFL.com

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