10 most memorable NFL moments on Thanksgiving

Nov 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) eats a turkey leg while being interviewed by NBC personality Michele Tafoya (right) after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 22-20 during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

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4. The Coin Toss: Jerome Bettis called tails (1998)

Kicking off what is actually a string of infamously memorable moments from the NFL action on Thanksgiving Day is probably the most famous coin toss in history. In 1998, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Lions found themselves gridlocked and eventually headed into overtime. Before the extra frame is when the craziness started.

As the visiting team, Steelers captain Jerome Bettis got to call the coin toss to determine possession in overtime. According to Bettis, the commentators, and fans listening intently, Bettis called tails while the coin was in the air. However, referee Phil Luckett said that Bettis called heads. So when the toss came up tails, the Lions were awarded possession, despite pleas from Bettis that he didn’t actually call heads and should have won the toss for Pittsburgh.

Of course, this story ended poorly for the Steelers. The Lions got the ball and drove down the field to kick the game-winning field goal in overtime. However, they never should have had the ball in the first place. If it were just Bettis complaining that he called tails, that would be suspect. But the announcers even said right after the coin toss that they heard the Steelers’ running back say “tails.” Thus, Luckett’s coin toss debacle will forever live in infamy in NFL and Thanksgiving lore.

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