Forget the Lions and the Cowboys. We have plenty of football excitement of our own in Princeton, New Jersey, on Thanksgiving. Today we held the 28th Turkey Bowl pickup touch football game.
The curiously named Princeton Gentlemen’s Club holds the annual event, which brings players of all ages and their families to the big field along U.S. 206 at Marquand Park.
Two games run simultaneously on parallel fields marked out by orange cones: on one side toil the older “gentlemen,” most of whom at one time or another have participated in regular Sunday morning games at the park, and on the other frolic the younger bucks, many of them sons, nephews and the occasional daughter or daughter-in-law of the older fellows.
I was a Sunday regular among the older guys the last two seasons, but dealing with a knee problem I wasn’t able to play this year. I could get around well enough with my camera, using the Zoom lens I use for birding photography. This morning featured a brisk breeze and abundant sunshine, the latter making for excellent shooting conditions.
The players do not lack motivation — or lubrication. Before the game, we set up a well-stocked bar and, strapped to a fir tree, a back bar shelf. The offerings included beers, Bloody Marys and Bailey’s Irish Cream for spiking coffee from Dunkin’ boxes. There was food, too, ranging from the coffee cake my wife baked to the smoked sausages that one of our regulars always brings.
The younger guys may keep score, but as is our practice, the older guys don’t, except possibly for tallying injuries. I left at halftime, and we had just one jammed finger to report. That did not keep the player out of the game.
Games like this are common in many American towns on Thanksgiving Day, a wonderful tradition. Ours is special, making for great memories. I’m thankful to be a part of it.
The Ball Caps Blog 
I miss the days of playing pick up football after school and on the weekends. Thanks for reminding me of a great time in my life. Hopefully, your knee will get better and you can play in next year’s game.
Thanks, Steve. And your comment reminds me of the Sunday pickup games my friends and i would play when we were in high school. Football — fun for all ages!