Thanksgiving and football go together like turkey and gravy. And no NFL player epitomizes this delicious tradition more than Vince Wilfork tearing into a giant turkey leg after big wins. His voracious appetite made Wilfork a viral sensation and cemented the turkey leg as an iconic symbol of Thanksgiving football.
Wilfork’s Rise to Turkey Leg Fame
Vince Wilfork was a dominant defensive tackle for the New England Patriots from 2004-2014. Weighing over 300 pounds during his playing days, Wilfork struck fear into opposing offenses with his massive size and surprising speed. He helped anchor the Patriots defense during two Super Bowl championship seasons.
But it was Wilfork’s eating skills that earned him fame beyond the field. Images of him eagerly devouring a cooked turkey leg after Patriots’ victories became an internet sensation. His unbridled joy and hunger while chewing on those legs made Wilfork a viral Thanksgiving hero.
Thanksgiving Feasting
Part of the appeal of Thanksgiving is the unrestrained feasting. And when it came to turkey legs, no one could match Wilfork’s appetite. Some fun facts about his holiday eating exploits:
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He would eat 2-3 entire turkey legs each Thanksgiving game.
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Wilfork had a secret marinade recipe he used on the legs before grilling.
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Turkey legs were his favorite Thanksgiving meal, though he enjoyed all the fixings.
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Chomping legs on-field became a tradition after Patriots wins,
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A popular meme shows Wilfork greedily biting into a leg.
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His turkey leg legend epitomized the NFL’s Thanksgiving celebrations.
Carrying on the Tradition
Thanks to Wilfork, the turkey leg has become ingrained in NFL Thanksgiving lore. Players now frequently mimic his celebratory feasting after big wins on the holiday. But none can match the childlike enthusiasm Wilfork displayed while eating those legs.
From offensive linemen to star quarterbacks, turkey legs have become a frequent sight during NFL Thanksgiving postgame celebrations. No other food item better represents football on Thanksgiving than the mighty turkey leg, thanks to Wilfork’s influence. He turned the simple joy of eating into an iconic NFL tradition.
The Consummate Thanksgiving Football Icon
Although retired since 2016, Wilfork’s turkey leg legacy remains. He will forever be linked to one of Thanksgiving football’s most beloved traditions. Fans now look forward to players proudly hoisting turkey legs to celebrate wins on the holiday.
Vince Wilfork made the turkey leg an essential Thanksgiving football tradition. His legendary appetite created one of the NFL’s most endearing and delicious holiday customs. So this Thanksgiving, as you watch players happily chomping on turkey legs, remember the big man who started it all!
Vince Wilfork: The NFL’s Ultimate Turkey Leg Icon
When you think of Thanksgiving football, one man instantly comes to mind – Vince Wilfork. His insatiable love of turkey legs has made him an NFL icon and social media sensation. Wilfork’s legendary appetite kickstarted a new Thanksgiving tradition that today’s players carry on.
Turkey Lover Extraordinaire
Vince Wilfork patrolled the New England Patriots’ defensive line from 2004-2014. The massive 6’2″, 325-pound tackle struck fear in offenses with his freakish size and speed. Off the field, Wilfork was beloved for his big personality and even bigger appetite.
Thanksgiving was Wilfork’s time to shine. Images of him voraciously tearing into cooked turkey legs on the sidelines went viral, earning Wilfork fame as the NFL’s hungriest player. He would gleefully rip off meat with his bare hands, juice dripping down his fingers. Pure joy.
Feasting Tradition
Wilfork didn’t just nibble on those turkey legs – he devoured them with reckless abandon. Some amazing stats about his Thanksgiving feasting:
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He would put down 2-3 entire turkey legs each game.
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Wilfork had a secret marinade he used to amp up the flavor.
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Drumsticks were his favorite, but he enjoyed all the holiday fixings.
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Chomping legs on-field became a tradition after Patriots wins.
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A popular GIF shows Wilfork greedily biting into a leg.
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His appetite epitomized the full-on indulgence of Thanksgiving.
Turkey Leg Legacy
Thanks to Wilfork, the turkey leg has become an iconic Thanksgiving football tradition. Seeing players proudly hoist half-eaten legs in victory is now a postgame staple. No one can match the hunger and joy Big Vince displayed while feasting.
Though retired since 2016, Wilfork’s legacy lives on. He made the turkey leg a quintessential part of NFL Thanksgiving celebrations for years to come. From offensive linemen to star quarterbacks, players now carry on the new tradition Wilfork started.
NFL Thanksgiving Icon
Vince Wilfork’s legend is cemented in NFL history. His voracious turkey leg eating exploits made him a viral sensation and Thanksgiving football icon. While others have continued the tradition, no one will ever match Wilfork’s spirited love of indulging in those delicious drumsticks. He is the true face of the NFL on Thanksgiving!
Let’s take a quick look back at how players have celebrated with those turkey legs in recent years.
2016:
Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, and Ben Roethlisberger had the honors, with Michelle Tafoya fake eating.
2017:
Morgan Moses used the turkey legs to perform a drum solo for TV viewers:
2018:
It was Drew Brees and a few teammates — Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, Cameron Jordan, and Sheldon Rankins — who toasted a win over their biggest rival, the Falcons.
They weren’t ready to let go of those turkey legs, either:
Considering the turkey was prepared by Emeril Lagasse, we can’t say we blame ‘em.
2019:
The Saints were back for more in 2019. A year after digging into an Emeril-prepared turkey, Brees, Jordan, and plenty of other New Orleans players were celebrating with turkey once again.
That’s a pretty decent Thanksgiving tradition the Saints are building.
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It’s Thanksgiving week! We always look forward to voraciously tearing apart turkey legs again, and so do NFL players. That’s because the Turkey Leg Award is NFL’s greatest Thanksgiving tradition.
Ahhhh yes. Sweet, juicy, juicy turkey.
Just look at Vince Wilfork tear that sweet tender meat off the bone … yea that’s good.
Vince Wilfork: The Man, The Myth, The Legend | NFL Films Presents
FAQ
How much could Vince Wilfork bench press?
In his Patriots prime, you could argue Vince Wilfork was among the strongest players in all of football. Built like a freight train at 6’2”/325, Wilfork cemented himself as a first-round pick with his Combine performance in 2004, famously logging 36 bench-press reps at 225 pounds.
How good was Vince Wilfork?
Wilfork is recognized as one of the best defensive linemen in team history. He played 11 of his 13 seasons for the Patriots and helped bring two Super Bowl Championships to New England with victories in Super Bowls XXXIX and XLIX.
Is Vince Wilfork married?
Two-time Superbowl Champion Vince Wilfork, his wife Yunka Wilfork, and country music artist, Mickey Guyton Visit Walter Reed’s Warriors [Image 5 of 8]