Imagine being a professional athlete, tasked with performing at your peak on a day meant for family, joy, and celebration. That’s exactly what Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell is grappling with this Christmas. In a candid conversation, Sewell didn’t hold back his frustration about suiting up for a Christmas Day game against the Minnesota Vikings, a sentiment that’s sure to spark debate among fans and players alike. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is the NFL prioritizing ratings and revenue over the well-being of its players and their families during the holidays? Let’s dive in.
The Lions, a team already steeped in holiday football tradition, have played on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1934—a fixture that’s as much a part of the season as turkey and pumpkin pie. This year, their Thanksgiving matchup against the Green Bay Packers ended in a loss, dealing a blow to their division title hopes. But the holiday grind doesn’t stop there. Next Thursday, they’ll hit the road for a Christmas Day game, part of Netflix’s growing slate of NFL broadcasts. For Sewell, a three-time Pro Bowler and family man with three young children, this double dose of holiday football is anything but festive.
‘I’m not happy,’ Sewell told MLive, his words echoing the frustration of players caught between their professional duties and personal lives. ‘We already play on Thanksgiving, and now we have to play on Christmas—away, no less. It’s not fun, but it is what it is.’ His candidness highlights a broader issue: Since 2020, the NFL has scheduled Christmas Day games, despite the holiday traditionally being a day off for players. For teams like the Lions and Dallas Cowboys, who already sacrifice Thanksgiving with their families, this adds another layer of challenge.
And this is the part most people miss: While Thanksgiving games are typically early afternoon affairs, allowing players to return home later that day, Christmas games require extended travel and preparation. For Sewell and his teammates, that means even less time with loved ones during a holiday that’s deeply personal. Is it fair to ask players to give up yet another family holiday for the sake of entertainment?
The NFL’s three-year deal with Netflix to broadcast Christmas Day games has already seen matchups like the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans. This year, it’s the Lions vs. Vikings and Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders. But at what cost? Historically, the Lions have struggled on Christmas, losing both of their previous holiday games—27-20 to the Miami Dolphins in 1994 and 17-7 to the Denver Broncos in 1999. Will this year be different, or will the holiday blues continue?
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Should the NFL reconsider scheduling games on Christmas Day, or is it a necessary evolution of the league’s broadcasting strategy? Sewell’s frustration isn’t just about one game—it’s about the larger conversation around player well-being and the commercialization of holidays. Let us know your thoughts in the comments. After all, isn’t football supposed to bring people together, not tear them apart—even on Christmas?
