An open letter to Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL:

Dear Roger:

We’ve never met…but you’re welcome to stop by to say hello at any of the Chicago Bears home games.  You’ll find me in the stats booth (always warm, dry and comfortable) on level A at Soldier Field, one door north of the main press box.

I’ve seen that lately you’re highly interested in changing the game for the better.  It’s great that you’re focusing on these head-to-head hits that are generating so much buzz and attention.  But really, there’s something far more urgent and pressing that needs your attention.

Today, on Thanksgiving, Americans will gather with their family and relive traditions established years ago.  Grandma’s pumpkin pie. Mom’s irresistible stuffing.  And a pair of football games during the day featuring two last place teams that, because it’s tradition, MUST play today.

I’m of course talking about the last place Detroit Lions and last place Dallas Cowboys.

Roger, it’s time to change this Thanksgiving tradition.  Isn’t it time, in a day and age where the NFL wants as many people to tune into the games as possible on this day, days when fathers might be more likely to help in the kitchen than watch the Lions host Tom Brady and the Patriots or the Cowboys host Drew Brees the Saints?  Neither the Lions (31st) nor the Cowboys (29th) can run the ball this year and together, they’re a combined 5-15.  And they play on Thanksgiving afternoon because that’s the way it’s always been.

I’d like to propose that the NFL take another look at that day…as closely as it looks to flexing games from 1 ET to 4:15 ET to get better ratings…or from the afternoon to Sunday night for the same purpose.

Put teams on the field in games that matter.  To the NFL.  To the teams and their fans.  Families across America deserve it.