Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are days that should be about spending time with family and friends yet, the NFL still holds games on both days. As much as I love watching football games, I do not believe that there should be games on these important holidays or around the holidays. 

      In 1934, the first Thanksgiving Day game featured the Lions vs. Bears. The first Christmas Day game featured the Cowboys vs. Vikings and Chiefs vs. Dolphins in 1971. Starting with just one game on Thanksgiving Day, we now have up to three games that bring even more players away from their friends and families. 

      NFL games on holidays can be a lot of fun. They bring friends and families together and for some, give something other than just eating or opening gifts to look forward to. I’m not talking about family’s watching the game being the problem. I’m talking about the players not having the option of being with family on these holidays. The fans have the option to go to the game, but the players are committed to the team and to playing or being at the game.