Locals Brave Cold For Turkey Bowl Tradition

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- People celebrated thanksgiving with parades, pig-outs and pigskin. But a group of guys braved the cold to carry on a turkey tradition.

Forget the pros. Sure it's cold in Detroit, but at least they're playing indoors. These guys were out at 8 a.m.

"It's dedication. I mean it's a chance to play with your friends," said flag football player Daniel Bluford.

They were braving the freezing Sacramento cold for a pre-turkey tangle.

"First play you're feeling cold, but you get the juices flowing and you forget about the cold weather," said Daniel.

Capital City Flag Football League players weren't going to let the chill keep them from a Turkey Bowl tradition a group of friends started about 20 years ago.

"Toes, fingers are numb, but we're still out here playing," said Daniel.

The patterns aren't as crisp. Some of the athletes are maybe not quite as graceful as their old high school days, but that's part of the reason Desiree Delonia bundled up her sons and brought them out to watch.

"it's pretty entertaining that they're the ages that they actually are, and they're this intense about playing flag football," said Desiree.

These athletes are having no problem beating the chill.

"It's called running around and the body generates its own heat. And if you stay active, and the guys out here, they're jawing and things like that. We're gonna have a lot of fun," said a player.

And these days, it's family commitments -- not fear of frostbite -- that keep most players away.

"Some of us got to sneak out, like #39. He has to sneak out and ask permission from the wife," said a player.

At least the trash talk's still as heated as ever!

The teams played until about noon then they headed home for their turkey dinners.