10 most memorable NFL moments on Thanksgiving

1. Clint Longley’s 15 minutes of fame (1974)

Clint Longley isn’t a household name in the history of the NFL. He played just three seasons in the league and appeared in only nine total games to throw just 68 career pass attempts. However, on Thanksgiving Day in 1974, he became a legend and hero for Dallas Cowboys fans as they took on their rivals in the Washington Redskins.

At the time, the Cowboys were led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach. In the Thanksgiving game against Washington in 1974, though, Staubach suffered an injury that forced the little-known Longley into action. He proved himself early on as he led two drives in the third quarter to give the Cowboys the lead heading into the final period. After the Redskins scored again to take a 23-17 lead in the fourth, though, Longley had to find a little more wizardry.

With less than a minute left in the game and trailing by six points, Longley and Dallas had to make something happen. With the ball at midfield, Longley uncorked a bomb to Drew Pearson that went for 50 yards and the game-winning touchdown, despite all probability that said a miracle wouldn’t happen.

Longley’s Thanksgiving performance in 1974, against a quality rival team in the Redskins no less, was the stuff straight out of Hollywood. A little-known player coming in and playing well against a rival is one thing, but then to make a huge game-winning play with almost no time left is even more unthinkable. There’s no question that Longley’s improbable 15 minutes of fame tops any list of memorable NFL moments on Thanksgiving.