The Dallas Cowboys have been rolling over the last month. Not only have they been winning, they have been dismantling teams while doing so. They currently sit at 8-3 and look to be one of the best teams in the NFC as the playoffs continue to draw closer.
All this winning they have done as of late lends to the team playing loose and looking for ways to have more fun. With the game well in hand on Thanksgiving Day, the Cowboys pulled out all the stops to provide an instant classic with their touchdown celebration.
Revisiting Dallas’ Thanksgiving Surprise
Late into the second half, with the game just about well in hand, QB Dak Prescott and the starters were on the field for what was going to be their final drive. However, before throwing on the ball cap and hitting the sideline, Dak and the ‘Boys decided to go out with a bang.
Turpin time ⏰ → turkey time 🍗 @SalvationArmyUS | @KaVontaeTurpin pic.twitter.com/zrgE66P6iq
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 25, 2023
Facing a 3rd-and-6 from the 34-yard line, Prescott drops back in the shotgun and uncorks a perfectly thrown football to WR KaVontae Turpin who was wide open for the easy touchdown.
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From there, the fun began as Prescott and the rest of the offense met Turpin in the end zone and told him to “get the turkey leg,” before Turpin jumped into the Salvation Army red kettle and proceeded to pull out chef-prepared turkey legs for their enjoyment.
Turpin went on to bust open the bag and he, Prescott, and TE Jake Ferguson all grabbed their own turkey leg and began to indulge right there on the field in front of the whole world. Prescott is heard saying, “Everybody eats,” and that could not be truer as the Cowboys went on to win 45-10 in a game where everybody with a star on their helmet got a taste of victory.
A Celebration Prepared Days in Advance
Turkey legs don’t just pop up in the end zone without preparation. This was a well-thought-out and executed celebration.
Prescott was asked about how it all came about after the game, and he spoke to the thought process the team had before the execution of the iconic moment. “Team effort, team idea,” Prescott said after the game. “We talked about as probably a two-, three-day long process of whether it be a 15-yard penalty and whether coach would accept it.”
He went on to add, “And I’ll tell you, I actually go talk to coach before every game, and sure enough I caught him as he was talking to Jerry, and so I mentioned it. Of course, Jerry liked it, so yeah. At that point, my direction was just make sure we’re up and the game was in hand.
“… Sure enough, right after I threw the one to Turp, I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s go for it.’ And so, and it was good.”
There have been many good moments over the years in Dallas on Thanksgiving, with every year over the previous three seasons getting more elaborate with celebrations. RB Ezekiel Elliott jumping into the kettle two seasons ago started it off, followed by the tight end group of Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot, and Sean McKeon playing “whack-a-mole” last year.
All these moments brought us to this turkey leg celebration last week. One could wonder just what they may have up their sleeves for next year.
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