On Thursday November 28th, three NFL football games will be played. All three games will be aired on national television. Most likely, at least one of these games will be seen by over 30 million people across the United States.

Less than a decade ago, only two games were played on Thanksgiving. But the NFL, seeing the opportunity for more money, added a third game to the schedule and also found a way to work it into the primetime slot on national TV. Since 2006 (when the league added a third game on Thanksgiving), the ratings on Turkey Day have steadily increased, to the point where the most viewed “show” from Labor Day 2012 through December 2012 was an NFL game on Thanksgiving day.

There’s really no debate about the effect football has on Thanksgiving day festivities. Football has become just as much a part of Thanksgiving as turkey and pumpkin pie. The only question remaining is whether or not this tradition is good or bad.

Junior Andrew Ellis says he enjoys the non-stop football action on Thanksgiving.

“All 32 teams need to play on Thanksgiving,” said Ellis.

While having every NFL team play on Thanksgiving won’t happen anytime soon, the point is clear – fans like this Thanksgiving tradition, and want more of it. Ellis reiterated his desire for more games on Thanksgiving, saying more football games equates to a more enjoyable holiday.

“[The amount of football games] is not a problem. Is happiness a problem? No,” Ellis said.

The popularity of football in America also adds to the focus on the NFL during Thanksgiving. Since football tops the charts in the US for attendance and tv viewership every year, it only makes sense for football to be more popular on holidays, when most people are home or with family and friends.

Ellis believes the spirit of football is what makes it popular on Thanksgiving.

“Since Thanksgiving is a little about celebrating the things America loves, it makes sense for football to be on Thanksgiving day,” said Ellis.

Junior Evan Prochaska says he doesn’t see the point in the football obsession.

“I don’t watch football on Thanksgiving. Sometimes we have a game on in the background, but I don’t really pay attention to it,” said Prochaska.

No matter which side of the debate you are on, it’s very clear that football is a big part of Thanksgiving, and it will not change anytime soon.