One of the true joys I have this time of year is checking out the papers around the country to read about the famous Thanksgiving day turkey prank. A lot of teams pull it on their rookies. It goes something like this; Early in the week a sign is posted in the locker room informing the players where and when they can pick up their free Thanksgiving day turkeys. A local store is used and the owner is in on the gag. When the rookie shows up to claim his turkey the owner acts like he knows nothing about it. Somewhere hidden in the store is a video camera that records the players reaction. Later in the week during a team meeting the coaches act like they are going to show game film. Instead they play a tape (in the old days film) of the rookie reactions. The team gets a big laugh out of watching them, and at the end they vote on which rookie wins the annual turkey of the year award.

Some of the articles that I have read over the years is about players being dumbfounded to getting down right angry. Once I read about a lineman who got so mad he almost broke the counter at the butcher shop that was being used for the joke. That is because most of the time the sign that is put up has times posted on them. Usually these times are in between meetings and practices. So they inform the coaches that while they have a few minutes they are going to run out and get there free birds. The coaches are in on the joke too. One story that I remember reading is how a rookie quarterback informed his coach that he was going to run out and get his turkey before the quarterback meeting. The coach was firm in reminding him that better not be late. Deep down inside he had to keep from laughing, and he almost gave the joke away.

So between the time crunch, and the owner of the store acting like he knows nothing about it, this has made for some funny videos over the years. Because of the internet I was able read about more of these accounts around the country, but sadly I have not read to much lately. It has been reported on so much in the past I think some rookies have been tipped off. I know that this gag still goes on, and have found at least one article about it every Thanksgiving . If you read about it somewhere please post a note about it on my comment section, or drop me a line at JoeSportsmanship@hotmail.com. Also let me know if you have read of any good pranks from the past.

Turkeys are what we got for football on Thanksgiving day. All three games were not very good. The two national TV games tonight and tomorrow don’t look much better. New England will continue on there path to be perfect, and so will Miami. Both these games will be blowouts. If one of your local cable channels is showing the Grey Cup game this afternoon tape it. Then watch it tonight in place of this turkey. CFL football is fun and underrated. So catch their SuperBowl game in place of watching the Pats beat the stuffing out of the Eagles. On Monday night instead of watching the Dolphins get fish fried by the Steelers in Pittsburgh, watch the best new show of the season: Journeyman on NBC. There is only two episodes left before this show becomes a casualty of the writer’s strike. So catch it while you can.

As for the games this afternoon, remember I like my beer in my six pack straight up. The Icehouse 16ozers make the best six packs. Four teams that were great last year are all turkeys this season. Two of them play each other. The Ravens travel out to San Diego to play the Chargers. San Diego is the better team and needs this game to keep pace with Denver, but for some reason I smell an upset here. I guess I just feel that Baltimore might be fired up after letting one get away at home last week to the Browns. Also because the Chargers really have not been playing all that well this season with costly losses to the Chiefs and Vikes. Baltimore is my road warrior/upset pick of the week.

Other road warrior picks involve teams that were not the same as last year; The Bears and the Saints. The Bears will lose this afternoon at home to the Broncos. Chicago might keep it close because Denver is coming off a short week, but Denver will pull away in the second half. Chicago has no running game, problems on defense, and their ongoing quarterback saga. The Saints are having their problems too, but I think they will win this afternoon in Carolina. Vinny Testaverde is going to start again and I have a hard time picking a team that has an old quarterback who started this season on his couch.

Another team with an older quarterback will win today. Arizona is hosting the 49ers this afternoon. Kurt Warner, and his bad elbow, should be considered for comeback player of the year. The Cardinals have a real shot to win the division. They will win their third in a row today. Two other home teams that I like this afternoon are the Browns over the Texans and the Bucs over the Redskins. Cleveland, Houston, Tampa Bay, and Washington are this years pleasant surprises. Both of this games should be fun and entertaining to watch.

Last week my 8-pack of Miller High Life ponies went 3-5. So I’m 33-27 for the season…Enjoy watching the games this afternoon everyone, and Happy Leftovers. Turkey sandwiches on rye, with mayo, swiss cheese, and black pepper go great with your six pack!