Top 5 John Madden NFL turkey leg award-winning performances on Thanksgiving

From 1989 to 2002, legendary announcer John Madden has handed out turkey legs to the players who performed best on the holiday on Thanksgiving games.

This decade-plus-long tradition has highlighted some of the best and most memorable performances. In this year’s Thanksgiving games, the Buffalo Bills take on the Detroit Lions first, which will be followed by the Dallas Cowboys who face the New York Giants before the day is wrapped up with a clash between the Minnesota Vikings and the New England Patriots.

Also Read | Who is Virginia Fields, late NFL legend John Madden’s wife ?

This year, the Madden family and NFL fans will witness a tribute to John Madden, who called 20 Thanksgiving Day NFL games during his broadcasting career.

To celebrate the 2022 Thanksgiving Day games, here are the top five greatest, most memorable John Madden Turkey Leg Award-winning performances in NFL Thanksgiving Day history.

Also Read | Why NFL fields, helmets feature John Madden logo during Thanksgiving games

1. Randy Moss, 1998 — Minnesota Vikings 46, Dallas Cowboys 36

2. Barry Sanders, Johnnie Morton, and Luther Elliss, 1997 — Detroit Lions 55, Chicago Bears 20

3. Emmitt Smith, 1994 — Dallas Cowboys 30, New York Giants 3 

4. Jason Garret, 1994 — Dallas Cowboys 42, Green Bay Packers 31

5.  Reggie White, 1989 — Philadelphia Eagles 27, Dallas Cowboys 0

During this year’s commemoration, the NFL said a John Madden Thanksgiving” logo will be at the 25-yard line on the field for each of the games – Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants and New England Patriots vs. Minnesota Vikings.

“No one cared more or contributed more to our game than John Madden,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a press release issued by the league. “Honoring his memory and impact on the NFL is important and Thanksgiving Day brings all of the elements significant to John to life – family, football, food and fun.”