Why are all thanksgiving games in the NFL played in Detroit and Dallas?

Answer 1

The Detroit Lions tradition started in 1934 by then owner G.A. Richards looking for a Holiday contest.

The Dallas Cowboys tradition started in the 60's when the NFL was looking for another team and only Dallas accepted a Thursday game late in the season.

Answer 2

Tradition. The Detroit Lions began playing on Thanksgiving Day in 1934. In the mid-1960s, the National Football League wanted a late afternoon game to follow the Lions' annual holiday contest. When no other team showed interest, Dallas Cowboys president and general manager Tex Schramm jumped at the chance because he realized the game would provide his young franchise a national stage and audience.

Schramm's instincts have proved to be correct. Since 1966, the Cowboys have played 46 games on Thanksgiving, and the annually televised contest has become as customary as a turkey dinner with trimmings.

In recent years, the NFL has added a third televised Thanksgiving contest, which is played in prime time after the Dallas game.

Answer 3

It has become a holiday tradition to have one of the NFL's most popular (and most disliked) teams host a Thanksgiving Day game.

Answer 4

Technically speaking, it isn't true. There is a third Thanksgiving game played after the Cowboys' traditional afternoon game.