Salvation Army Cowboys: Ranking Every Red Kettle Celebration
It's become a true Dallas Cowboys tradition: Salvation Army red kettle celebrations on Thanksgiving (or shortly after that). It started with Ezekiel Elliott in 2016 and has seen all sorts of iterations, including the Philadelphia Eagles' own spin on it. On Thursday's Week 12 win over the Washington Commanders, the Cowboys literally ate turkey legs […]
It's become a true Dallas Cowboys tradition: Salvation Army red kettle celebrations on Thanksgiving (or shortly after that).
It started with Ezekiel Elliott in 2016 and has seen all sorts of iterations, including the Philadelphia Eagles' own spin on it. On Thursday's Week 12 win over the Washington Commanders, the Cowboys literally ate turkey legs after scoring the final offensive touchdown of the day.
The only thing I want to write right now is a ranking of each of these red kettle celebrations. Let's dive in!
1. Ezekiel Elliott's original celebration (2016)
This has to be No. 1 in my book for multiple reasons. It starts with the fact that the 2016 Cowboys were all about Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott taking over the NFL as rookies. A couple of kids having fun on their way to the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
It was also the start of the red kettle celebrations in Dallas, little did we know it would become an iconic trend that lives on even now that Zeke is no longer on the team.
But here's the best part, Zeke's touchdown celebration went so viral that the Salvation Army took in $182,000 in online donations that weekend, a 61% spike per ESPN.
2. Turkey legs for everyone! (2023)
Reportedly Jake Ferguson's idea, this one earns a Top 3 spot on the list because it was comically outrageous. Hiding turkey legs in each of the four red kettles on the field is the definition of next-level confidence.
The fact that Prescott was eating it on the sidelines with ease because his day was officially done even if they had another possession makes it even sweeter.
3. Cowboys' Four Horsemen play whac-a-mole (2022)
Last season, the Cowboys' four-tight ends formation became a staple of Kellen Moore's red zone offense in such a big way that the "Four Horsemen" became their official nickname.
During their Thanksgiving game, they put their own spin on the red kettle celebrations by having Dalton Schultz, Jake Ferguson, and Sean McKeon hop in the bucket while Peyton Hendershot, the touchdown scorer, used the football to play whac-a-mole.
This could very well be No. 1 or No. 2 just based on the creativeness of the whole thing.
4. Zeke tosses Dak into the kettle (2018)
If you see the clip of this one, I believe it's clear it took Prescott off-guard as much as it did us. This was all Zeke as he lifted up his quarterback and tossed him right into the Salvation Army kettle.
Elliott was fined $13 thousand for this and another celebration he pulled off in the same game.
5. DaRon Bland's record-setting pick-six!
To be honest, this was more special because of the meaning of the play than the celebration itself, which was a straight-up jump into the kettle. According to Bland himself, he was picked up by several teammates and thrown in there.
But here's why it still ranks in the Top 5: Everyone was hyped for Bland to the point you saw wide receiver KaVontae Turpin involved in the defense's celebration and… is that DB coach Al Harris!? Yes, it is. Gotta love it.
6. Zeke's $21 donation (2018)
This one might not have been as flashy or elaborated but talk about attention to detail. Elliott's continued efforts to push people to donate more were taken a step further in 2018 when he straight up threw cash into the red kettle. But not just any amount: $21 exact dollars. Same as his jersey number.
Also, the shot above is elite.
7. Zeke brings it all the way back (2022)
2019-2021 could be known as the great hiatus of Ezekiel Elliott red kettle celebrations (unless I'm missing one, right now?). That's why it was so sweet when Elliott brought it back last year after seeing his tight ends have fun (see No. 3)
8. DeVonta Smith's Salvation Army heist (2022)
To this day, this one confuses me. On the one hand, it was hilarious, I'll give Smith credit for that. On the other hand, why would you pretend to rob a Salvation Army red kettle? It isn't the flex you think it is, Eagles!
Bonus dead-last points because they lost the game, too. But hey, they tried! In all fairness, though, the Eagles don't mind being the villains when it comes to playing the Cowboys so I respect the effort.
Cowboys: Dak Prescott explains why iconic celebration was a big deal
Unique insight from QB1.
