Los Gatos Turkey Bowl Flag Football Game Set For Thanksgiving Morning

The Los Gatos-based National Turkey Bowl League continues its annual tradition of hosting a flag football game Thanksgiving morning at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28 at the new Creekside Sports Park, 930 University Ave.

The NTBL was started on Thanksgiving morning in 1991 at Los Gatos High School, according to its website.

Matthew Ober and 10 of his friends decided to put together a no-pads tackle football game, the website said.

During the past years, the event has drawn "major" attention from more friends, neighbors and spectators, the website added.

Now, the league has more than 40 players and more than 50 spectators.

Those who donate $20 will get a NTBL T-shirt and help pay for the fun event now in its 23rd year. Admission is free, however.

On game day, the event will also include food such as smoked turkey, an oyster bar, traditional delicious ham courtesy of Ron Anderson Bonsai The Turducken and Ober, fresh coffee donated by the Purple Onion Cafe and donuts by Psycho Donuts.

"So why have I stayed so long ... tradition!" declares Ober on the website. "Where athletes are reborn once a year on Thanksgiving Day."

In an email to Los Gatos Patch he added: "The reason why I keep this event going is because of the players and people who attend, come up to me at the end of the game and say this is their Thanksgiving and they do not have family here or around anymore."

Event sponsors include Capelli Salon, Double D's Sports Grille, Forbes Mill Steakhouse, Psycho Donuts, Los Gatos Meats & Smokehouse, Los Gatos Cigar Club, Gardino's, Palacio, Smash It Sports, and Rock Tape.

Details: matt@nationalturkeybowlleague.com.

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