There are certain key memories associated with youth. For Dallas Cowboy fans of a certain generation, those influences might be the sound of the silver trumpet of Tommy Loy, the voice of Pat Summerall, and the sunny patch on the field caused by God’s window in Texas Stadium. 

Those triggers would likely lead one to think of Thanksgiving Day, when after a mountain of food, fans would settle in to watch the ‘Boys in the late afternoon kick-off.

So much of what the Cowboys had come to represent was iconic. Tom Landry’s hat and stoic profile, the sound of that trumpet, the set of the offensive line, the flex defense all became associated with the Cowboys and the championship teams of the ‘70s. 

The next generation of Cowboy champions had their own iconic characteristics. The Great Wall of Dallas and the Triplets became familiar monikers. 

Since 1966 the Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving Day 55 times. Only a league experiment in 1975 and 1977 (LA Rams 20 - Detroit Lions 0, and Miami Dolphins 55 - St. Louis Cardinals 14) broke a continuous streak.

The numbers are impressive. Dallas holds a 33-21-1 record on Turkey Day which equates to a 60% winning percentage. They have played 24 of the now 31 other teams in the league. 

They are undefeated on Thanksgiving against the Browns (2-0), Cardinals (4-0), Packers (2-0), Rams (1-0), Seahawks (3-0), Bears (2-0), Patriots (1-0), Steelers (1-0), Giants (2-0), Chiefs (1-0), Buccaneers (1-0), and Jets (1-0). They are winless against the Oilers/Titans (0-3), Vikings (0-3), Eagles (0-2), Broncos (0-2), Saints (0-1), Panthers (0-1), Chargers (0-1), Bills (0-1) and 49ers (0-1-1). They have a mixed record against the Redskins (8-2), Dolphins (2-3) and Raiders (2-1).

A pretty impressive run.

There is no doubt that Thanksgiving Day brings a little something extra to the Dallas Cowboys. As Tad Carper, senior vice president for communications, explained, “Thanksgiving is such a deep and special tradition for us … there is no question that playing that day at home provides a unique sense of appreciation for the game and what it means to our fans.”

Carper said one reason may simply be home cooking. After the Thursday game, the team has Friday and Saturday free to enjoy the holiday with their families.

The ‘Boys have made good use of that special home cooking. They are a combined 10-2 against NFC East divisional opponents. Carper surmised that the biggest games (divisional games) deserve the biggest platforms and with that comes the incentive for success at an even higher level.

The Cowboys organization plans months in advance to prepare meaningful events with their partners, the Salvation Army.

In addition to launching the Red Kettle Campaign, the Cowboys collaborate with the Salvation Army to provide early Thanksgiving dinners throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Carper advised that many players  also conduct their own turkey dinner giveaways.

He explained the Cowboys philosophy on the partnership with the Salvation Army as, “helping those that are most in need of support, and understanding the special opportunity the game and platform provides to change lives through giving and caring.”

The ‘two-fer’ Cowboy fans get on Thanksgiving is cheering on a franchise which takes community service seriously, and being able to watch some of the most memorable moments in the history of the NFL unfold on the gridiron.  

Everyone has their favorite, but here are just a few. 

2016. Cowboy rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott combine for two of the best all-around quarterback and running back performances in the history of Thanksgiving Day. They put Washington to sleep 31-26.

1974. Clint ‘the Mad Bomber’ Longley comes off the bench and leads Dallas to a thrilling come-from-behind win over Washington 24-23. 

1979. Earl Campbell sets the mark for the most yards rushing against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Campbell churned out 195 yards to lead the Oilers to a win, 30-24. (This selection offered as a salute to the Tyler Rose).

2006. Tony Romo, in his first year as a starter, tosses five touchdown passes in a 38-10 trouncing of the Bucs.

The Cowboys are on a roll this year, and host Washington for the 3:30 local kick-off on Thanksgiving Day. Perhaps another game will be added to the memorable file. As Carper described, “Dallas vs. Washington is simply a classic, time-tested divisional matchup that showcases the NFL in a great way beyond just the individual teams’ fan bases.”

And for those fellow Cowboy fans who have never yet forgiven Jerry Jones for firing Tom Landry, it’s time to let it go. 

Happy Thanksgiving.