Thanksgiving Day featured lots of activities. However, many of those activities were marred by the current political environment. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was interrupted by protesters, causing the parade to halt temporarily while the activists were removed. Couple that with the increased costs of putting a Thanksgiving dinner on the table, and many folks struggled to have a happy holiday.
One of Thanksgiving Day’s staples, besides stuffing, mashed potatoes, and turkey, is the NFL. It is a long-held tradition to eat too much, sit on the couch, and watch football with family and friends. While this year’s slate of games failed to deliver much in the way of excitement, the recently added third game of the day did provide some feel-good moments.
Traditionally, Thanksgiving Day featured two games, but in recent years added a night game, because too much football is never enough. This season’s prime-time tilt featured the San Francisco 49ers against the Seattle Seahawks in a battle for top spot in the NFC West.
San Francisco defeated Seattle 31-13, marking the first Thanksgiving Day win for the franchise since 1972. It also widened the gap between the two teams in the standings as the 49ers moved to 8-3 on the year. The team’s star player, running back Christian McCaffrey put on a show, rushing for 119 yards on 19 carries, scoring two touchdowns.
Prior to the game, McCaffrey was spotted kneeling and praying in the end zone. His fiancée, Olivia Culpo, shared a video to her Instagram story of the star running back taking time before the contest to clear his head and talk to God.
After the game, McCaffrey and his teammates celebrated with the classic post-game Thanksgiving celebration. As he was eating his victory turkey, he said on the sideline: “That was awesome. It was actually really good turkey, too. I have no idea how they kept all of the dishes hot . . . but the turkey was really good, well cooked. It wasn’t dry at all, and like I said, still hot, which was impressive for being 20 minutes after the game.”
It was a well-deserved bird, but McCaffrey didn’t win the game on his own. The contest featured yet another sterling performance from quarterback Brock Purdy. The last pick in last year’s draft continued his incredible run as the starter, leading the team to a game-sealing touchdown with a 28-yard strike to Brandon Aiyuk to salt away the win.
McCaffrey lavished praise on Purdy after the game. He continued: “Ice in his veins. He’s such a good player. He makes plays all over the field, and watching how consistent he is back in the huddle. He’s never too high. He’s never too low. Anytime he’s got the ball in his hands, if there is a play to be made, he can make it.”
It was a good holiday for McCaffrey, Purdy, and San Franciso fans. While many Americans struggle to put food on the table thanks to Joe Biden, and activists continue to stick their noses in places no one wants them, at least America had football on Thanksgiving Day to count on.
Featured image screen grab from embedded YouTube video
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