The latest victims of 2020? Turkey Bowls, aka high school football games held either on Thanksgiving or during Thanksgiving weekend. Even if not an official school game, many friends and family come together as a community event to keep the tradition alive.
But this year, Thanksgiving came and went with Turkey, but no Bowl
.
How Coaches Feel
A Boston Globe article highlighted coaches in Massachusetts who, for the first time, have no football game to coach on Thanksgiving. Typically, these coaches are rushing to get home in time for their family meal. Some noted getting the annual call from home asking, “When are you coming home?”
While these coaches miss being out on the field, they also, for the first time in a long time, get to be home with their family for the entire day instead of being the person to show up in the middle of dinner.
Of course, the coaches are still devastated. One coach from Boston English was quoted in the article saying, “I am absolutely miserable. I have been in total denial. We usually kick off at 9:30. It’s a game that’s been played for over 100 years — I played in the 100th game. That was in ’85. I was still a baby. I was a sophomore.”
The Overall COVID Impact
Earlier this year, we heard from over 600 coaches about how COVID-19 has impacted their role, their athletes, and return to play. While it’s clear Massachusetts has cleared out seasons, this isn’t the case nationally. We heard that:
- Amidst COVID, 74% of coaches reported their sports back up and running in some capacity. (Click to Tweet!)
- 65% of those playing amidst COVID are doing so with modifications. (Click to Tweet!)
- With only 9% of those playing amidst COVID playing with no modifications. (Click to Tweet!)
- 78% say they spend their time as a coach differently. (Click to Tweet!)
That last one might mean more of them are spending their time at home for Thanksgiving. 😉
