What is Turducken? John Madden and the iconic Thanksgiving dishAyrton Ostly, USA TODAYThu, November 27, 2025 at 11:03 AM UTC·4 min readThanksgiving brings together three integral parts of American life: food, family and football.
The fourth Thursday of November features a trio of games this year as millions of people will pile up their plates with mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce to watch the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals play on national television.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis year will see the Thanksgiving debuts of two-time NFL MVP quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. Stars like Ja'Marr Chase and Kyle Hamilton will make their debuts as well, while other Thanksgiving regulars are back again, such as Micah Parsons, Jahmyr Gibbs and CeeDee Lamb.
While there are many stars on the field for the NFL on Thanksgiving, there's a star on the dinner plate as well: turkey.
Or, for the brave of stomach, Turducken.
Thanks to one legendary NFL broadcaster, the dish local to Louisiana has notoriety throughout the country. It's not for the faint of stomach to handle on Thanksgiving, though. What exactly is turducken and how did it get linked to the NFL? Here's what to know.
Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott poses with the Galloping Gobbler trophy after the win over Washington at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Nov 24, 2016. The Cowboys won the game, 31-26. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott put on an offensive showcase.
During a Thanksgiving Day game in 2013, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin got into the action. The Baltimore Ravens' Jacoby Jones broke free on a kickoff return, but Tomlin stepped onto the field, causing Jones to avoid the Steelers coach along the sideline. Instead of a touchdown, Jones was tackled after a 73-yard return. The Ravens went on to win the game, 22-20.
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez collides with the backside of lineman Brandon Moore and fumbles the ball. It was recovered and returned for a touchdown by the New England Patriots' Steve Gregory. The play was part of a disastrous sequence for the Jets, who lost three fumbles as the Patriots scored three touchdowns in 52 seconds. New England went on to win 49-19, and Sanchez's infamous moment from the 2012 game is known as "The Butt Fumble."
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter NFL action in Irving, Texas Nov. 23, 2006. In a breakout game, Romo threw for 306 yards and five TDs.
On his way to 49 touchdown passes for the season, Peyton Manning put six on the board in the Indianapolis Colts' masterful 41-9 win over the Detroit Lions. Manning went 23-of-28 for 236 yards and six touchdowns before being pulled near the end of third quarter in 2004.
Randy Moss added another tally to his incredible rookie year in in the Minnesota Vikings' 46-36 win over the Dallas Cowboys, catching three touchdown passes for 163 yards in 1998.
With the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers headed to overtime, referee Phil Luckett's microphone caught Pittsburgh captain Jerome Bettis calling "tails" on the coin toss. Despite the toss coming up tails, Luckett claimed Detroit won the toss. The Lions opted to receive the kickoff and scored a field goal on the first possession to win the game in 1998.
Hall of Famer Barry Sanders ran for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions obliterated the Chicago Bears, 55-20, in 1997. Sanders moved into second place on the NFL’s all-time rushing yardage list during the game.
The Dallas Cowboys' Leon Lett dives for a blocked fourth-quarter field goal attempt as Bert Weidner of the Miami Dolphins scrambles for the ball on Nov. 25, 1993, in Irving, Texas. The live ball was recovered by Jeff Dellenbach of the Dolphins. Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich then made the winning 19-yard field goal as time expired giving the Dolphins a 16-14 victory.
Thanksgiving 1977 marks the last time that the Dallas Cowboys did not host a Thanksgiving Day game. Instead, the St. Louis Cardinals played the Miami Dolphins at Busch Stadium. Quarterback Bob Griese led the Dolphins to a dominating 55-10 win. A year later, the Cowboys were back in the Thanksgiving spotlight, a tradition the franchise hasn't relinquished since.
Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson rushed for an NFL record 273 yards against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, Nov 25, 1976 in Pontiac, Michigan.
1 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
1 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
2 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott poses with the Galloping Gobbler trophy after the win over Washington at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Nov 24, 2016. The Cowboys won the game, 31-26. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott put on an offensive showcase.
3 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
During a Thanksgiving Day game in 2013, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin got into the action. The Baltimore Ravens' Jacoby Jones broke free on a kickoff return, but Tomlin stepped onto the field, causing Jones to avoid the Steelers coach along the sideline. Instead of a touchdown, Jones was tackled after a 73-yard return. The Ravens went on to win the game, 22-20.
4 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez collides with the backside of lineman Brandon Moore and fumbles the ball. It was recovered and returned for a touchdown by the New England Patriots' Steve Gregory. The play was part of a disastrous sequence for the Jets, who lost three fumbles as the Patriots scored three touchdowns in 52 seconds. New England went on to win 49-19, and Sanchez's infamous moment from the 2012 game is known as "The Butt Fumble."
5 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter NFL action in Irving, Texas Nov. 23, 2006. In a breakout game, Romo threw for 306 yards and five TDs.
6 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
On his way to 49 touchdown passes for the season, Peyton Manning put six on the board in the Indianapolis Colts' masterful 41-9 win over the Detroit Lions. Manning went 23-of-28 for 236 yards and six touchdowns before being pulled near the end of third quarter in 2004.
7 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Randy Moss added another tally to his incredible rookie year in in the Minnesota Vikings' 46-36 win over the Dallas Cowboys, catching three touchdown passes for 163 yards in 1998.
8 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
With the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers headed to overtime, referee Phil Luckett's microphone caught Pittsburgh captain Jerome Bettis calling "tails" on the coin toss. Despite the toss coming up tails, Luckett claimed Detroit won the toss. The Lions opted to receive the kickoff and scored a field goal on the first possession to win the game in 1998.
9 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Hall of Famer Barry Sanders ran for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions obliterated the Chicago Bears, 55-20, in 1997. Sanders moved into second place on the NFL’s all-time rushing yardage list during the game.
10 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
The Dallas Cowboys' Leon Lett dives for a blocked fourth-quarter field goal attempt as Bert Weidner of the Miami Dolphins scrambles for the ball on Nov. 25, 1993, in Irving, Texas. The live ball was recovered by Jeff Dellenbach of the Dolphins. Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich then made the winning 19-yard field goal as time expired giving the Dolphins a 16-14 victory.
11 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Thanksgiving 1977 marks the last time that the Dallas Cowboys did not host a Thanksgiving Day game. Instead, the St. Louis Cardinals played the Miami Dolphins at Busch Stadium. Quarterback Bob Griese led the Dolphins to a dominating 55-10 win. A year later, the Cowboys were back in the Thanksgiving spotlight, a tradition the franchise hasn't relinquished since.12 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson rushed for an NFL record 273 yards against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, Nov 25, 1976 in Pontiac, Michigan.
What is turducken?
Turducken's true origins are unknown but the dish is most commonly associated with Louisiana. New Orleans-based chef Paul Prudhomme is considered the first to popularize it at his restaurant, K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen, in the French Quarter. His 2007 cookbook "Chef Paul Prodhomme's Always Cooking!" includes a very detailed recipe for preparing it.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA turducken consists of three types of poultry: turkey, duck and chicken, hence the name. To prepare the dish, all three are deboned, and the chicken is stuffed inside the duck, which is then stuffed inside the turkey. It's seasoned and can be cooked similarly to a traditional turkey.
The legs and wings of the turkey are still included, though, so it gives the appearance of a regular turkey. Since it is deboned, it's easier to carve compared to a traditional turkey.
John Madden and turducken
On Dec. 1, 1996, Madden and his longtime broadcast partner Pat Summerall were calling a Week 14 matchup between the then-St. Louis Rams and the New Orleans Saints. Madden mentioned late in the first half that he's still eating Thanksgiving leftovers but, with the game in New Orleans, was just introduced to a local dish that he called "the triducken."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter a commercial break for the two-minute warning, he corrected himself.
"Here's my turducken," he said. "It's turkey -- you got the turkey on the outside. Then you stuff the turkey with the duck, then you stuff the duck with the chicken. 'Tur' for turkey. 'Duck' for duck. And '-en' for chicken. Then you just mix it all up. I've been eating it all day."
A year later, Madden and Summerall had one in the booth. With the Lions holding a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter, Madden broke down how to carve the turducken on national television.
"You just kinda cut this right down the middle and then you cut sideways and you get a little turkey, a little chicken, and a little duck," Madden said.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt wasn't the only bird in the booth, though. Madden also had a six-legged turkey to be given to the MVP of the game he was calling. That delicacy came about when Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith complained in 1990 that he didn't have turkey legs to give to his offensive linemen. A year later, a Texas barbecue owner made sure that didn't happen again and sent Madden a six-legged turkey.
Madden took time to explain that one as well.
"Now over there, we have the turkey," Madden said. "You have one leg, two legs, three legs, four legs, five legs, sixth leg, so six of these legs or one of these legs or two of these six legs are going to be given to someone."
Since his passing in 2021, the NFL has honored Madden's memory on Thanksgiving. Each network will select a Madden Thanksgiving MVP for their game and the winner will receive a $10,000 donation to be given to a youth or high school football program in their name.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis year, the coin for the Cowboys-Chiefs game will feature Madden's silhouette on one side for "heads" and the turducken on the other side for "tails" to be used at the coin toss.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Turducken? How the Thanksgiving dish ties to NFL football
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