Highlights from FOX NFL – Thanksgiving Special

LOS ANGELES – Week 12 of the 2020 FOX NFL season kicked off today with a Thanksgiving Day special featuring the Washington Football Team at Dallas Cowboys beginning at 4:30 PM ET. Today’s game marks the 14th broadcast of a Cowboys home Thanksgiving Day game on FOX dating back to the first airing in 1994. The winner of today’s game takes first place in the NFC East.

Earlier today, the FOX NFL SUNDAY team weighed in on the day’s biggest moments and storylines.

In addition, FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer sat down for an emotional conversation with Cowboys defensive end and team sack leader Aldon Smith about his past and how he plans to be a source of inspiration moving forward.

Long on Ron Rivera and the Washington Football Team

Johnson on the Passing of Markus Paul

Menefee Introduces Special Native American Feature

Glazer on Cowboys Defensive End Aldon Smith

JAY GLAZER’S ONE-ON-ONE WITH ALDON SMITH

Glazer: When did you start becoming, I guess, “NFL Aldon?”

Smith: “What does ‘NFL Aldon’ mean? Oh, actually, hold on. Let’s go back. I got into my share of issues. I had problems, demons, you can call them what you want. But there were things that had nothing to do with football that dated all the way back to childhood. And you know with the success that I was having, I never took time to deal with those issues. On the outside, I was this All Pro football player, but on the inside I never felt like that. And so it took things like drinking. It weighed on me. I had to have a real honest talk with myself on, ‘Hey, you can change this whole thing.’”

Glazer: When I met you, you were living at Sober Living and to join our MVP Foundation. When did you first believe that you could change into this?

Smith: “There was a time where I was living a regular civilian life. I left a lot on the table. I knew I’m one of the best players in this league, and look what I’m doing. Once I got out of that victim role and stepped into the role of somebody who wants to take control of his life and change it, then life was ready to change with me.”

Glazer: Once you said to me, “It’s my fault that I’m out of the league.” And you put it on you. Do you remember that? And I was like, okay, you want another shot at the NFL? You were sitting in this very same chair. You came over to my house to sign the contract here.

Smith: “I don’t think people knew how much you and I talked and the relationship we’ve created. So, for me to be training and actually getting in a position where I could be back playing football, that’s wild. I was in a dark place, and I’m a hard headed, strong willed person and I was one of those people who didn’t believe that I could be helped or that there was gonna be a better day. I feel like I’m a relatable person. And the way that I tell my story, people will be able to get something from it and take something from it that will help change or save their life.”