The NFL tradition of playing football on Thanksgiving Day started with the Detroit Lions in 1934.
As lore would tell it, in 1966 the NFL wanted to added a second game to Thanksgiving Day schedule but had trouble getting another team to host it. That's why legendary Cowboys general manager Tex Schramm stepped up to plate and volunteered his team.
The Cowboys broke their franchise attendance record with 80,259 fans showing up for 26-14 victory over the Browns at the Cotton Bowl. The NFL came through and honored Schramm's request and the Cowboys have hosted on Thanksgiving every year since accept 1977 and 1975 when the league alternated years with the St. Louis Cardinals to help grow that franchise.
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