Every Thanksgiving, two NFL teams are front and center as they play on a holiday that is as much about tradition as it is about competition. But while fans are gearing up for their holiday celebrations, there are a group of unsung heroes—equipment managers—working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly. For Tim O’Neill of the Detroit Lions and Mike McCord of the Dallas Cowboys, Thanksgiving isn't just a day of football; it's a marathon of preparation, long hours, and family adjustments.
For both original PFEMS members and their veteran staffs, Thanksgiving Day games present unique challenges, primarily due to the compressed schedule and extra work involved in getting everything ready in time. O’Neill, now in his 23rd season with the Lions, and McCord, in his 33rd season in equipment with the Cowboys, know that every minute counts when preparing for a Thursday game. The shortened week means all the usual tasks—equipment checks, uniform preparations, sideline gear—must be condensed into just a few days.
O’Neill explains how the shortened workweek throws everything off balance. "The weekly schedule, player weightlifting sessions, and many other things are altered to accommodate the shorter week," he says. "But we still have all the same work to prepare for a game, sometimes even more if you’re wearing an alternate uniform." This includes everything from preparing special sideline apparel to adding the John Madden patch to every player's jersey, a recent NFL tradition in honor of the late broadcaster. For O’Neill, it’s all about keeping everything organized to ensure that the team is ready for the big day.
McCord, who between college and the Cowboys has worked Thanksgiving Day or the Friday after for roughly 40 years, faces similar hurdles. He emphasizes how quickly everything must come together for a Thursday game. "You have a four-day window to prepare everything you’d normally have a week for. You really need to be organized, and a little bit of luck goes a long way." The Cowboys, known for their "Throwback" uniforms on Thanksgiving, add another layer of complexity, as McCord must ensure that jerseys are correctly sized and ready for the game, even when roster changes occur late in the week. "In 2023, we had jerseys coming in just days before the game," McCord recalls, adding that the John Madden patch made the process even more demanding not only for them, but their opponents who had travel additionally to consider.
Despite the rush and pressure, both men take pride in working these high-profile games. For O’Neill, there's a silver lining in being able to play the first of the three Thanksgiving games, which means he can often join his family for at least part of the holiday. "I’m lucky to have a wife who’s understanding of the demands of the job," he says. "After the game, it’s always special to come home to family and close friends, no matter the outcome." McCord, on the other hand, has learned to adapt to the demands of back-to-back Thursday games in recent years, which makes the holiday feel even shorter. "There’s no ‘free’ holiday weekend when you’re prepping for another game the next week," he explains, noting the tough balance of work and family during the holidays. "The guilt of not being able to spend as much time with family can be tough, but I’m thankful for the support of my wife and kids."
Both equipment managers fondly recall special Thanksgiving memories from their careers. O’Neill’s favorite moment was when his nephew helped on the sidelines during a game. "He still talks about it, remembers every detail," O’Neill says with a smile. McCord, meanwhile, remembers a tough 1993 game against the Miami Dolphins, where bad weather and a dramatic field goal block turned into a heartbreaking mishap, costing the Cowboys a win. At old Texas stadium, the roof was open to the field and when it started sleeting hours before the game even the field crew had difficulty removing the tarp with all the weight from the rain and sleet. The sideline apparel provider for the Cowboys, Apex, was debuting a lightweight jacket on Black Friday that year and the team felt compelled to wear the jacket despite the unseasonable winter weather. The coaches and staff had to layer up with as many layers as needed under the lightweight jacket, so that it got the needed Thanksgiving Day exposure on TV. Late in the game, the Cowboys blocked a game-winning field goal attempt by their opponents, but one of the Cowboys players, in an infamous NFL play, slipped in the icy conditions and touched the ball. This allowed their opponents another shot at the game-winning field goal which they made on the second attempt. It was a tough game for the team, but one of the most memorable Thanksgiving games in the history of the NFL.
While the work on Thanksgiving can be demanding, both O’Neill and McCord treasure the holiday for its traditions and the opportunity to make lasting memories with their families. Many traditions of Thanksgiving center around a third “f” besides family and football: food. Both men have distinct recollections about their favorite holiday food. For O’Neill, it's his grandmother's homemade stuffing with gravy that stands out as his favorite dish. McCord’s favorite, however, is his wife’s cheesy potato casserole, though he fondly remembers his mother’s bread dressing as a kid. McCord also has great memories of his early time with the team when longtime Equipment Manager Buck Buchanan, Sr had a tradition of providing bologna and cheese sandwiches with chips before the games to the staff. When they were served Buck’s Buffet, as they called it, on Thanksgiving, an additional bite-sized candy bar was added for the holiday.
Despite the challenges of working on a holiday that’s as much about family as it is about football, both men are grateful for the opportunity to be part of the NFL’s Thanksgiving tradition. As O’Neill puts it, "We are very fortunate to be involved in thes games and to share that with people close to you is a gift.” For McCord, the tradition is deeply personal—he remembers attending his first Cowboys game at just 10 years old. "To think I’d be here all these years later, working these games, is something I never would have imagined," he reflects. For both of them, Thanksgiving Day is more than just a day of football; it’s a chance to be part of a time-honored tradition and create memories that will last a lifetime.