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St. Paul Family's Thanksgiving Tradition Going 9 Decades Strong

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- One St. Paul family's time-honored Thanksgiving tradition takes the cake, or rather the pumpkin pie.

The Battis-Bohen Turkey Bowl has met nearly every Thanksgiving since 1933.

Bottis-Bohen Turkey Bowl in 2016
Bottis-Bohen Turkey Bowl in 2016 (credit: CBS)

The tradition was started when Grandpa Thomas and Grandma Carmela were kids. They lived across the street from one another, and the two families would play football to get out of the house.

Their families kept the tradition going after they were married.

The families met at St. Thomas Academy in St. Paul Thursday to carry on the tradition.

Battis-Bohen Turkey Bowl
The Battis-Bohen Turkey Bowl in 2012.

"We've been all over the place under all kinds of traditions. Nobody keeps score so it doesn't matter. So it's just fun to see everybody. Fun to play the game. Fun to watch the game," said Dick Bettis, an original Turkey Bowl player.

The game features second- and third-generation cousins, from toddlers to grandparents.

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