1-on-1 interview with Pilgrims wide reciever Chris Romaniwitz

I recently finished a story about football on Thanksgiving morning. I went to local parks in Mount Prospect, IL and got a better understanding of why people play with the pigskin on Thanksgiving morning. To read that entire story, click here.

I then sat down for an in-depth interview with Chris Romaniwitz, a reciever on the Pilgrims who has played in the annual Pilgrims v. Indians "Turkey Bowl" for the last 18 years.

Greg: Have you always played on the Pilgrims?

Chris: Yep, all 18 years.

Greg: How do you guys decide who plays on what team?

Chris: It really depends. Sometimes guys’ dads played on a particular team, and then their son plays on that same team. Since my dad never played in this game, I was just told to play with the Pilgrims my first year. Other times guys are just placed on whichever team needs another player.

Greg: Interesting. What is one memory that you will never forget after playing in so many Turkey Bowls?

Chris: In 2003, there was a rumor leading up to the game that Todd Stephensons’ (an Indian’s defensive back) daughter’s boyfriend was going to play. I know Todd was hoping that he wasn’t going to play. Well he did. Todd and his daughter’s boyfriend, Jason, 19, were on opposite teams. Jason caught the ball on a deep post and Todd came over and completely laid him out. It was hilarious. Jason was on the ground for a good 30 seconds before he got up. To this day I believe Todd did that to make a statement, put the kid in his place.

Greg: Were you guys playing tackle?

Chris: No, we were playing touch, sometimes a rough touch with an occasional tackle. But Todd just laid the kid out, it was a shock to everyone at first and then we all joked about it after the game.

Greg: What did Jason say after the hit or after the game?

Chris: He didn’t say anything at all after the hit, he was totally caught off-guard. And I don’t think he wanted to say anything to his girlfriend’s dad. He took off right after the game ended, said nice game to a few people and left. That was his one and only Turkey Bowl.

Greg: Haha, that is funny. How does it feel when you win the Turkey Bowl?

Chris: It definitely makes the aches and pains feel a lot better. I have a hot tub in my master bathroom, and I’m in it for a shorter amount of time if we win. I’m more interested in uncorking a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

Greg: And if you lose?

Chris: Then I’m in a pissed off mood, and I don’t really enjoy the rest of the day. I try not to be rude or anything during Thanksgiving dinner, but I’m just not as friendly.

Greg: Do you or any of the other players have a pre-game ritual?

Chris: Yea we do. The night before the game about a dozen guys go to this bar Bogey’s, which is about 15 minutes away from the field. The first thing we do is buy a round of shots, So-Co lime to be exact. Don’t ask me why So-Co, it’s just tradition.

Greg: Do most people get pretty drunk the night before the game, or just have a couple beers, more of a social thing?

Chris: Most of the guys do it more because it’s tradition. There are always a few though that get pretty messed up. Those are the guys you have to call three or four times the next morning to make sure they get their butt out of bed and to the field on time.

Greg: What about yourself, you keep it pretty low key?

Chris: Now I do. But the first five or so years I played, I would get pretty drunk and not go to bed until four in the morning. I don’t think I cared about my performance in the game as much as I do now.

Greg: Why the change in behavior?

Chris: Well now I’m married and have two kids, an eight-year old daughter and a five-year old son. Before I didn’t. I guess I had to grow up (laughs). Plus, I don’t think my wife would be too happy if I came home drunk at 4 a.m.

Greg: Well that’s understandable. Do any of the players’ kids watch the game? Do your kids?

Chris: My kids don’t. I think my son will in a couple years when he is a little bit older. The kids that do come out to the field are usually between eight-and-twelve years old. They are more interested in playing with each other. They might watch the first 20 minutes of the game and then start throwing the football around, play at the park, throw snow balls at each other if there is snow on the ground. So most years there are some kids out there, but they are doing their own thing.

Greg: Is there a minimum age requirement to play in the game?

Chris: Usually it’s guys all over 30. The one exception was in 2003, and after the kid (Jason) got laid out, we all agreed no more kids.

Greg: Well, that makes sense though. Thanks for your time, Chris.

Chris: No problem.