Inaugural Thanksgiving Touch-Football Tournament Raising for Charity

Amateur Thanksgiving football in parks and backyards is an American tradition, the way many of us stoke our appetites for an afternoon feast. But in the Lyons Township area, it’s generally groups of friends playing among each other, and rarely aggressive or organized.

That changes this year with the Tough Turkey Football Tournament.

The Tough Turkey will be held starting bright and early—7:30 a.m.—on Thanksgiving morning in La Grange’s Gordon Park this year, and offers Turkey Day football for residents looking for a more competitive experience.

“I’ve been playing with the same group of guys for several years, and I see other games being played around town,” said Tough Turkey founder Chad Fuller of La Grange. “I thought it might be fun if different teams from different parts of the area came together and played against each other.”

The Tough Turkey will be 7-on-7 two-hand touch, 30-minute games in a double-elimination tournament; teams will play at least two games and up to six. Teams may have up to 12 players. Everyone gets a shirt; winners may get a small prize (besides bragging rights.)

In the Thanksgiving spirit, all proceeds from the tournament will be going to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

“I think Thanksgiving for a lot of people is a kickoff for when they really start thinking about their charitable work for the year,” Fuller said.

Registration for the tournament is capped at eight teams and closes on Nov. 11.

More information and registration is available at toughturkeysports.com.