Louisville’s Thanksgiving is just like many others across the country: turkey dinners, festive parades and football. But in this city, the sport wasn’t just something to watch on TV during post-meal naps, it was a reason to bundle up and head out to the nearest game you could watch in person.
For over a century, high school football, particularly the rivalry between Louisville Male High School and duPont Manual High School, was a cornerstone of Thanksgiving celebrations in the city.
A Historic Rivalry
The Male-Manual rivalry on Thanksgiving was one of the oldest high school football matchups in the country, dating back to 1893. Known locally as “The Old Rivalry,” the Thanksgiving game began in 1919 and quickly became a highlight of the holiday. Crowds of Louisvillians, braving the cold and the holiday bustle, turned out in droves to witness the fierce competition. The tradition grew so prominent that in 1966, a record-breaking 23,000 fans filled Fairgrounds Stadium—the largest crowd to ever attend a football game in Louisville at the time.
The Old Rivalry has had its share of dramatic moments, like when in 1922, the intensity of the matchup reached a literal breaking point when the stadium hosting the game mysteriously burned down after the Thanksgiving Day match. Despite its ups and downs, the game remained a cherished annual event for decades.
However, by 1980, the Thanksgiving Male-Manual game came to an end. Changes in high school football schedules shifted the rivalry to earlier in the year, leaving Louisville without its holiday football tradition.
Football Today: A New Thanksgiving Tradition
While Thanksgiving high school football games have become a memory, football is still alive and well in Louisville during the holiday season. The city has embraced new traditions that bring families and fans together.
One of the most beloved events is the Juice Bowl, which has had its own share of controversy in the past. Held annually at Shawnee Park, this community-focused event features six youth football teams competing throughout Thanksgiving Day. Kicking off at 10:30 a.m., the Juice Bowl has become a cornerstone for local families looking to get outside during the holiday.
For college football fans, the Thanksgiving weekend now highlights the Governor’s Cup, the annual rivalry game between the University of Louisville Cardinals and the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Last year, Kentucky kept the trophy away from then No. 9 Louisville. This year, the Cards will travel to Lexington on Nov. 30 on the SEC network at 12 p.m., reigniting the fierce competition that fuels Kentucky’s largest college football showdown.
Nostalgia and Legacy
Though the Male-Manual Thanksgiving rivalry lives on in memories, its legacy continues to influence Louisville’s football culture. Photos of packed stadiums and tales of nail-biting games evoke a sense of pride for those who experienced the tradition firsthand. Archival footage and old newspaper clippings bring this rich history to life, showing generations of fans who made Thanksgiving football a citywide celebration.
As the Juice Bowl and Governor’s Cup carry on Louisville’s football tradition in new ways, they remind us that while traditions may evolve, the spirit of community and competition remains timeless. So whether you’re heading to Shawnee Park or tuning in for college action, football continues to be a vital part of Louisville’s Thanksgiving experience.
This article appears in Nov 20 – Dec 3, 2024.
