Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
Top Performances By Local Players In NFL On Thanksgiving Day
Nov 25, 2021, 8:30 AM
Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints bites into a turkey leg after their 26-18 win over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Multiple local players in the NFL have appeared and recorded highlight plays during the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day games.
Here are some of the top moments and plays made by local players in the NFL that have played on Thanksgiving.
Scott Mitchell – 1995 Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
Former Utah and NFL quarterback Scott Mitchell led a second half comeback by the Detroit Lions to beat the Minnesota Vikings on Thanksgiving Day 1995.
Mitchell and the Lions hosted the Vikings on November 23, 1995.
The former Utah star earned a turkey leg after finishing 30/45 passing for 410 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in Detroit’s 44-38 win.
Alex Smith – 2020 Washington Football Team vs. Dallas Cowboys
Former Utah and NFL quarterback Alex Smith tossed a touchdown pass on Thanksgiving Day 2020.
The Dallas Cowboys hosted Smith and Washington Football Team on November 26, 2020.
With 2:30 remaining in the first half, Smith found Logan Thomas in the end zone for a five-yard completion.
Alex Smith to @LoganThomasSr_6… TOUCHDOWN @WashingtonNFL!
📺: #WASvsDAL on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/t8ECNxwRaz pic.twitter.com/MfNBvXeSCJ— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2020
Smith finished 19/26 passing for 149 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He added three carries for one yard in Washington’s 41-16 loss.
Taysom Hill – 2019 New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
Former BYU and current New Orleans quarterback Taysom Hill began News Orleans’ 2018 Thanksgiving Day game against the Atlanta Falcons with a blocked punt and a touchdown reception.
Hill’s highlight plays came on November 28, 2018.
The former Cougar QB got his hand on a punt from the Falcons’ Ryan Allen and the ball only sailed eight yards to the Atlanta 30-yard line with 13:03 left in the first quarter.
TAYSOM with the STUFFING ❌
Punt BLOCKED ‼️ #SAINTS pic.twitter.com/ZWf8amCm63
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 29, 2019
Four plays later, Hill caught a shovel pass from New Orleans QB Drew Brees and ran the ball three yards into the endzone for a Saints’ touchdown.
If Taysom is hungry, YOU FEED HIM 🍽 pic.twitter.com/N3zsS57JZm
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 29, 2019
Later in the first half, Hill took a snap up and ran up the middle of the field 30 yards and into the endzone untouched.
FEAST MODE 🍽@T_Hill4 | #SAINTS pic.twitter.com/n1vbnznmYK
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 29, 2019
The former BYU star earned a turkey leg after finishing the Thanksgiving game with two carries for 33 yards and a touchdown. He added two receptions for 12 yards and a touchdown in the Saints’ 26-18 win.
Marcus Williams – 2018 New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
Former Utah Utes and current New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Williams recovered a fumble during the 2018 Thanksgiving Day game against the Atlanta Falcons.
With 6:36 remaining in the opening quarter, Williams recovered a fumble after a strip-sack of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan inside the red zone.
Williams finished the game with five tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, and a fumble recovery in New Orleans’ 31-17 win.
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