Jim Kortz of Albert Lea looks to pass the football on Thanksgiving Day morning 2011 during the 45th annual Turkey Bowl at lower Abbott Field. - Andrew Dyrdal/Albert Lea Tribune

The Turkey Bowl follows some of the rules of touch football, with a few twists added in. Players can pass anywhere — forward or backward — once they’ve passed the line of scrimmage. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Rick Harves, one of the founding members of the Turkey Bowl, looks to snap the ball to Steve Roche in 2015. - Micah Bader/Albert Lea Tribune

The Turkey Bowl takes place Thanksgiving morning at Abbott Field in Albert Lea. The game is one of the longest running neighborhood Thanksgiving Day games in the nation, according to Paul Wendorff, a founding member of the game. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Rick Harves, left, drops back to pass during a practice game in October 2016 ahead of the Turkey Bowl. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Players of all ages gather at lower Abbott Fieldto play the game. Many players travel back to Albert Lea to participate. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune