The LSU football team will be able to greet Thanksgiving Thursday with turkey, sweet potatoes, pies – and family.
Despite the traditionally scheduled game against Arkansas on Friday afternoon, coach Les Miles will allow the players with families living nearby to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday morning.
The remainder of the day will be spent with the team – the second family the LSU team has become closer to this year more so than ever.
“When we were coming into this year, you knew everyone was close,” said senior defensive tackle Kyle Williams. But when everything happened with the hurricane, and other guys on the team’s families, you saw the whole team come together. You’ve seen it throughout the year, and I think the team has become one big family. Just being able to rely on each other off and on the field.”
In previous years, former coach Nick Saban met with the team early Thursday for Thanksgiving dinner.
Coach Les Miles is slightly altering the tradition. He will allow the team to celebrate Thanksgiving with their nearby families before meeting later in the afternoon.
“Coach Miles isn’t going to have us up here until about 2:45 p.m. so the guys will have the chances to hang out with their families nearby and Wednesday night,” said senior offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth. “The guys get to enjoy some family time and some times with the team instead of practicing.”
Some players – like Whitworth – do not have family close enough to be with during the short time Thursday morning. Miles urged his coaching staff to open their homes to these players, noting how important this Thanksgiving.
“As the rest of the student population heads home for Thanksgiving, our guys don’t necessarily have that opportunity,” Miles said. “We are not losing sight of how thankful we all are. This year has been an example to all of us. In Katrina’s example and the great strength LSU has responded and our football team has responded. We have a lot to be thankful for.”
Junior Chris Jackson – whose hometown is River Ridge – is one of the several players directly affected by Hurricane Katrina. While Jackson said he is foremost thankful for his family and their safety after the hurricane, he still considers LSU’s success in football during his reflections this Thanksgiving.
“I am thankful for being 9-1,” Jackson said. “I am thankful we have a chance to win the West and go to the SEC title game.”
Sophomore fullback Jacob Hester also reflects on LSU football during the Thanksgiving season.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to play at LSU,” Hester said. “Growing up I never thought I would get to play here. I would just be thankful for getting to play here and everybody here.”
Junior receiver Dwayne Bowe said he hopes the coaches will bring food. Wherever the food comes from, the question still remains who will consume the most at the dinner table.
“It will definitely not be a kicker,” Jackson said. “Probably a lineman.”
Despite the accusations, Whitworth – a lineman – said the week as a whole will be special.
“It’s a special week and a chance to give thanks to everyone who has been there for us and supported us,” Whitworth said. “We’re really extremely proud of the way this team has acted all year, and we’ll have a chance to fellowship and be together.”