Conflict over Thanksgiving dinner and the Panthers game? These fans have their strategies

Just about the time the turkey is almost cooked, the undefeated Carolina Panthers will be lining up to take on the Dallas Cowboys in a 4:30 p.m. kickoff (CBS) on Thursday.

The challenge: How to celebrate Thanksgiving and not miss the Panthers. We asked readers what their Thanksgiving strategy would be.

Lunch, then sliders

Gretchen Zollinger of Charlotte writes that she has a well-thought out “Fan Plan”:

“The hostess makes the ruling on the field! For those of you scrambling, feel free to go with the audible below, or you may end up fumbling!

“1 p.m.: Family and friends arrive – tailgate on the patio around fire pit as the Turkey finishes smokin’

“2:15: Run a lateral: Thanksgiving Day lunch! (vs. dinner)

“3:15 ish: Annual friends and family old school kickball game (those not playing have to intercept clean up)

“4:15: Go long on desserts and coffee, everyone’s a receiver!

“4:30: Panthers kickoff! (If you aren’t into football, rush home or fake it)

“Halftime: turkey and dressing sliders, more pumpkin pie! – A safety for those still hungry

“Game over: Celebrate 11-0!”

Island football

Danny Smith, 56, co-owner of a technology company in Cornelius, will be watching the Panthers with an island view. Here’s his solution:

“We’re original PSL owners, spending Thanksgiving in Bali. We’ll be up early watching the game. It comes on here at 5:30 a.m. We (his sons and others) brought our Panthers gear. We’ll be grilling some wings and are fired up. It’s a challenge to get the broadcast but we have figured it out.”

Their menu: A whole stuffed suckling Balinese pig, coconut rice, potatoes, salad and local veggies. “We’re trying to get mashed potatoes to make it more traditional but who cares!”

Mom with the assist

“We always have Thanksgiving dinner at our house. Me, being a huge Panthers fan, have tried to figure out how to do both. I am 16 so I really do not have much say in the matter, but I was able to convince my mom to put a table in the living room so I can watch it. That’s just what I’m doing ... or trying to do anyways.”

Dalton Lankford of Granite Quarry

The dilemma

“I married into this family five years ago. I was born in North Carolina in 1980, I went to the first Carolina Panther game and I drove to the game, (just got my first car). I have been a Carolina Panthers fan since they became a team. My wife’s family, her uncle and cousins are all Carolina Panthers fans.

“Now to the dilemma: The South Carolina family own a 5-acre cabin-style home 30 miles south of the town of Waterboro.... There is no cable no satellite, limited electricity, no TV, no Internet and about 30 miles away from a bar or anything that comes close to a town.

“The only chance we have to watch the game is to make the drive 30 miles north, but the elders of the family (great grandparents and grandparents) are dead set to start eating at exactly 5 p.m.

“This will include two turkeys, a hog, 30 pounds of mash potatoes, 15 pounds of brown sugar glazed carrots and an entire assortment of sides that I can’t even begin to list. We are 100 percent up the creek without a paddle. But it is family. And as a disabled combat veteran myself, that is all I can ask for family first! God bless you and your family.”

William Stolp

‘I’ve been waiting’

“My Uncle Kenny and his family are diehard Cowboy fans. For 34 years I’ve put up with watching ‘America’s team’ with him. This Thanksgiving, I’ll get to watch the Panthers take it to the Cowboys with him. I’m glad it’s on during dinner!”

Chris Summer

Moving up dinner

“I was born and raised in North Carolina.... We’re all die-hard Panthers fans. My brothers and I live in York, Pa., now and we get together every week to watch the games. To do that, I had to purchase the NFL Sunday Ticket. We’re thrilled Carolina gets the opportunity to play on Thanksgiving Day, and because of that, we’ll be doing our Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday! NOTHING comes between us and being able to see our Panthers continue this amazing run they’re on! We wanted to be able to watch the game as intently on Thursday as we do every week, with absolutely NO distractions!! Happy Holidays!”

Josh Zinser

This story was originally published November 24, 2015 at 11:18 AM.