Every Thanksgiving Day for 36 years, Tom Begam and Jay Rotsky have captained the two teams in an annual Turkey Day football game on the front lawn of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple.

The tradition was started by members of the Beachwood High School class of 1977, and has continued without a break, no matter how wet or snowy the weather. In recent years the sons of the original players have taken part, always cheered on by family and friends.

Begam, whose team wore black yesterday, has won all but nine of the annual games, but this year the victory went to Rotsky’s blue team. And with 36 years worth of rivalry to build on, they don’t look to stop anytime soon.