Ryan Day suffers fourth straight loss in family’s annual Thanksgiving football game

His insistence on running the ball and being “tough” cost Ohio State football coach Ryan Day yet another loss in his family’s annual Thanksgiving football game, his fourth consecutive defeat in the series.

“Ryan has always been stubborn,” said a family member who requested anonymity to avoid retribution. “But this year, he took it to another level.”

Not only did Day insist on being quarterback – at one point ripping the ball out of the arms of his nine-year-old niece – but then he proceeded to simply run the ball directly at the defense down after down after down. “Give me the ball, I’m tough,” Day allegedly said multiple times.

“On one fourth down, we were a full three trees away from the endzone, and he still decided to run the stupid ball,” said the visibly upset nine-year-old niece. “I mean, what the f***, Ryan!”

According to the rulebook for what the family dubs “The Game,” rushing attempts are prohibited in two-hand-touch football, meaning the quarterback must throw the ball to a receiver on every down.

Members of the opposing team wisely decided not to invoke the rulebook on account that Day’s one-dimensional offense led him directly into their arms on every play.

“Even when it was clear they were blitzing, he just held onto the ball, ducked his head, screamed and ran into the teeth of the defense,” said a next-door neighbor who watched the game through her dining room window. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

His teammates basically quit running routes midway through the third quarter, including his 14-year-old nephew who has great hands, above-average speed and a 32-year edge on the uncle guarding him.

Rounding out what was an all-around bad day for the 45-year-old coach, both times Day did throw the ball, the defense intercepted the pass, one of which came within three yards of a pick-six.

Asked in the postgame press conference what he thought about his victorious relatives hoisting a flag in the middle of the yard following the game, Day said, “They did what?”