By: Tom Williams | Dec 2, 2024
Clarksdale, Mississippi – For over eight years, the Turkey Bowl has been a cherished tradition in our community, bringing friends and families together for a friendly game of football during the Thanksgiving holiday. What began as a casual neighborhood pastime has grown into something more organized and impactful, thanks to the vision of Ryan Shaw, founder of the Holiday Football League.
Ryan’s idea to formalize these games stemmed from a simple post about the Turkey Bowl that didn’t gain much traction. Determined to bring the idea to life, Ryan began recruiting players and gathering support. His persistence paid off, and in 2022, the first official Holiday Football League game, the “Christmas Bowl,” debuted with a spirited matchup between the Grinch and the Scrooge teams.
The league is about more than just football. It’s a community-building initiative. For the Christmas Bowl, a Secret Santa giveaway was included to spread holiday cheer. During the Egg Bowl, held around Easter, the league hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. For Juneteenth, players celebrated with a community barbecue. “I wanted to do fireworks for Juneteenth, but everything comes out of my pocket,” Ryan explained, highlighting his personal commitment to making these events special.
For Ryan, the league serves multiple purposes. “For football players like myself, we want to get out and enjoy the game like we used to. It also gives us a reason to work out,” he said. Ryan also emphasized the importance of health in the Black community, pointing out that heart disease is a leading cause of death. He believes the league can inspire people to stay active and healthy.
The league also aims to set an example for younger generations. “I want to show the younger guys that you can come play ball to let some of that aggression out. It doesn’t always have to result in guns,” Ryan said. He noted that fewer young people today play tackle football, which has affected the physical toughness and talent level at the high school level.
While the games are competitive, the league prioritizes safety and camaraderie. “Most of us are way past our prime, so it just seems like a good idea to stretch it out to the holidays. It gives people something to look forward to on the holidays,” Ryan shared.
As the Holiday Football League grows, Ryan hopes it will inspire a greater appreciation for the game and encourage more physical activity and community involvement. What started as a simple Turkey Bowl has evolved into a meaningful tradition that brings people together and makes the holidays even more special.
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