National Football League

NFL ON FOX: Behind the Galloping Gobbler

Published Nov. 26, 2009 10:16 p.m. ET

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The Gobbler Files

PHOTOS: Great Gobbler memories ...

While this trophy has initially drawn some strange looks from the award winners themselves each year (with Emmitt Smith notoriously calling it a Cris Collinsworth look-alike), they all quickly warmed to proudly carrying the terrific Tom Turkey trophy back to the locker room — proud to boast to all why he was no jive turkey in the Thanksgiving game.

The Galloping Gobbler through the years

2003: Dré Bly, Lions CB

In his first career Thanksgiving game, Lions CB Dré Bly terrorized Brett Favre and the Packers by picking off two passes and causing a crucial fumble as the Lions beat the heavily-favored Packers 22-14.

2004: Julius Jones, Cowboys RB

The Bears fell victim to the 3-7 Cowboys, losing 21-7 in what became then-rookie Julius Jones' coming-out party. After injuries limited Bill Parcells' highly touted draft pick during the season's first half, Jones broke through with his first career 100-yard day — finished with 150 rushing yards in the win.

2005: Michael Vick, Falcons QB

Atlanta's talented quarterback was almost speechless after receiving his Gobbler award last Thanksgiving following the Falcons' 27-7 win over the Lions. In the game, Vick threw for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns while also running six times for 57 yards.

2007: Brett Favre, Packers QB

In his final season in Green Bay, the legendary Brett Favre enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast courtesy of the Lions defense. The Packers signalcaller fired for 381 yards and three TDs in a 37-26 win over the Lions that wasn't as close as the score indicated. When asked by Joe Buck about the excitement of getting such a prestigious trophy, Favre replied, "Well, I guess it's better than not getting it."

2008: DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys DE

One of the few shining moments during a rough second-half slide came on Thanksgiving, as All-Pro DE DeMarcus Ware harassed Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck all afternoon. Ware led the defense with three sacks in the Cowboys' 34-9 win over Seattle, moving Dallas to 8-4 at the time. Dallas would lose three of their last four games to miss the playoffs.

2009: Donald Driver, Packers WR

There were plenty of worthy candidates for Gobbler honors in Green Bay's 34-12 rout over Detroit. But the constant as the Packers steadily pulled away from the Lions was WR Donald Driver, who kick-started the offense with a 68-yard catch-and-run in the first quarter as Green Bay came out of the gates sluggishly. Driver later scored a TD and finished with 7 catches for 142 yards.