Thanksgiving: 6 classic and unforgettable moments from past NFL Turkey Day games

Ferdi Ristorante chef Fernando Scarpati joins "FOX & Friends Weekend" to give delicious ideas for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Day football is a long-running tradition in the NFL. The first-ever Thanksgiving game in the NFL happened the year the league was established.

Since 1934, the Detroit Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving game, except for 1939 to 1944 due to World War II. 

In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys kicked off home games on Thanksgiving Day. The team has continued to play on Turkey Day almost every year, except in 1975 and 1977, when the St. Louis Cardinals were awarded the games. 

The Cowboys and the Lions continue to play each year on Thanksgiving against various opponents. Since 2006, a third team has been on the Thanksgiving Day lineup, but there is no specific team that hosts the game. Every NFL team has played on the holiday, except for the Jackson Jaguars.

Here are unforgettable Thanksgiving Day NFL moments pulled from years past.

The Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions host a Thanksgiving game every year. (Scott W. Grau / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images / File)

THANKSGIVING QUIZ! HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW FACTS ABOUT THE ANNUAL TURKEY DAY?

In 1974, a Thanksgiving game was played between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins.

Cowboys' starting quarterback Roger Staubach suffered a head injury during the game, and rookie Clint Longley played in his place.

Upon Longley's entry into the game, the team was trailing 16-3. Longley was able to get the ball to Billy Joe DuPree who scored a touchdown, bringing the score up to 16-10.

Washington was up 23-17 with under 30 seconds left on the clock, but a 50-yard touchdown pass to Drew Pearson ended in victory for the Cowboys.

THE REASON THANKSGIVING IS ALWAYS ON