For a quarter century the former employees of a now-defunct Grand Junction Pizza in Dallas have assembled at the local junior high football field early every Thanksgiving morning to earn our turkey.

Good weather is fine for spectators, but for us players it is anathema; the great games, the memorable ones, are always played in driving rain, standing water or stinging sleet.

Our oldest participant is 56; the youngest are our children.  Our game's origins may eventually be lost to the passage of time, but its purpose will always be clear;

It is a reunion, an affirmation of toughness and a tie to our youth.

Ross Miller, Richardson, Texas
Sports Illustrated-Letters, Dec 25, 2006