Ode To Those Who Don't Play
posted Tuesday August 4th, 2009 by Crooks

It's 2009 and Turkey Bowl X is right around the corner. I never thought it would last this long; I never thought it would become the entity that it has. It's nothing short of amazing.

Last year, almost a year to the day, I wrote an article entitled The TFL. . . Look How Far We've Come. The article spoke about our roots, roots that were planted in 2000, and how they have grown over the years. It would be cliché to say that our roots have sprouted into a tree, but I'll say it anyway: Our roots have sprouted into a tree. The Turkey Bowl has become a living, breathing thing. It grows and changes with time.

Turkey Bowl I featured 10 players. That was nine years ago. Since that time, in November of 2000, six of the original 10 "men" have participated in every Turkey Bowl (Chris Crooks, Rich DiNofia, Tim Dougherty, Mark Marcelli, Matt Marcelli, and Mike Trill), while eight others (Sergeant Slaughter, Keith Cottom, Joe Doubet, Jon Hart, Sean Kelly, Paul Middleton, Bill Pohlig, and Kevin Rayer) have played in at least five games. Eleven other players, participating continuously or sporadically, joined the 14 previously mentioned TFL members. Twenty-five people, not counting the women of the Powder Puff Bowl, have stepped on Pritchard Field to engage in Turkey Bowl play.

The game wouldn't be what it is without those 25 players, but, at the same time, the game is not what it is only because of them. What, or rather who, gets lost in the game summaries and statistics are those people who, throughout the years, have worked tirelessly for and contributed to the TFL and Turkey Bowl, the phenomenon of our friendship. It is because of the people working behind the scenes that the Turkey Bowl has grown and changed into what it is today.

In every great enterprise or endeavor, there are those people who rarely get the thanks they deserve. In no particular order, there are a few that each one of us should take the time to appreciate:

Pete Marcelli
"Puerto Rican" Pete Marcelli, whether he wants to or not, has become a major TFL contributor. Every year, regardless of weather conditions and the elements, Pete finds the time to loom on our sidelines. He doesn't complain if it is cold, rainy, or unseasonably warm. He only complains when we make a bad play or act like idiots. He is always there to throw out an insult illustrating our athletic inadequacies. What makes Pete truly important are the contributions he makes that he probably doesn't even know he's making. Pete, through Pete's Lunch, donates ice and food to every Turkey Bowl game and after party. I really don't know if he knows he is making these donations, but, in either case, he is. Thanks Pete.

John Crooks Jr.
"Big John Stud" or "Platinum Blond John", as he is affectionately known, makes his way to Pritchard Field every Thanksgiving. He usually does this while he is own duty as a Ridley Township Police Officer. The importance in his presence at the game has somewhat dissipated since we've all turned 21, but, before we all reached the legal drinking age, his presence was substantial. Alcohol has been present at every Turkey Bowl and TFL event since the organization's birth. It didn't matter if we were old enough to drink it or not, it was there. When coupled with the spewing of curse words, public urination, and driving onto the field, we were just begging for someone to call the police. No need though, one was already there. He kept us out of jail and safe for years past and years to come. Thanks John.

Nick "Some Polish Last Name I Can't Spell"
Nick, aka "The Ladies Man", is also a staple on the Turkey Bowl sidelines, but, once again, much like our other behind the scenes contributors, it's not what he's famous for. Last year Nick helped us take our annual charitable donations to a new height. Nick, from his own pocket, purchased the the fundraising tools (kegs) for last year's charity drive. That's awesome. He not only purchased the kegs, but placed them in my truck by himself. Thanks Nick.

Hazlett & Vinnie
Hazlett and Vinnie have never been asked to play in the Turkey Bowl, nor do I think they want to, but they've still done their best to be a part of the game. Hazlett and Vinnie have both served as official cameramen of the TFL. Now filming a game is one thing, but both of them have shown up to team practices to take footage and photos. Now that's what you call commitment. Thanks Eric and Vinnie.

Samantha Marcelli
Samantha has donated her time to the Turkey Bowl on numerous occasions. Sam was officially the first statistician for the TFL. She didn't sit on the sidelines and veg out, but paid attention to what I'm sure can be a very boring football game to keep a record of completions, touchdowns, and all types of stuff. Thanks Samantha.

Bernadette Crooks
Bernadette loves Turkey Bowl season. Not because she likes football, but because she loves to cook. Turkey Bowl season is cooking season for her. For the past 5 years, Bernadette has invited all the members of her son's team over for dinner the night before the big game. In addition, last year, Bernadette also hosted the team's girlfriends and wives. While other women are working on what they are going to cook for Thanksgiving, Bernadette is cooking double. Thanks Bernadette.

Our Wives & Girlfriends
The biggest behind the scenes people, our wives and girlfriends deserve the most credit for the success of the Turkey Bowl. Every year they wake up early, not because they have to, to accompany us to the game. They stand on the sidelines and suffer through whatever the weather has to throw at them. They take pictures and cheer. They listen to us talk about the TFL and Turkey Bowl at length. The never ask us not to play, or tell us that we can't, they simply recognize how important it is to us. Since its creation, the Turkey Bowl has seen girlfriends come and go. Some have been around since the beginning, some girlfriends have only made it through one game, but all of them have done their best to come to appreciate the game, not because they care about it, but because we do. Thanks Ladies.

There are many people who don't play in the game itself, but who make it what it is, that deserve thanks; it would be impossible to name them all, but they do all deserve a thank you from each of us.

Lastly, I would like to bid a fond farewell to TFL members Joe Doubet and Sergeant Slaughter, both of whom announced their retirements during the off season. Even though the two of you will not be on the field with us this year, you will always have a place on Pritchard. Thanks for all the great memories.

Turkey Bowl X is coming, and I can't wait.