Continuing a Thanksgiving tradition, approximately 20 off-duty Aurora firefighters played their 16th annual Turkey Bowl exhibition flag football game Thursday. The second-shift team beat the third-shift squad, 25-20.
Despite 28-degree temperatures, the contest on the holiday morning took place at West Aurora High School’s football practice field. Players, family members, and friends opened the event by singing the national anthem.
Third-shift firefighters donned red shirts for the contest against second-shift counterparts wearing black shirts. The second-shift team was awarded a traveling trophy.
Families and friends in lawn chairs and blankets lined the sideline to provide moral support and refreshments.
—Al Benson