Diehard Jets Fans Take Thanksgiving To The Meadowlands

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBS 2) -- What would Thanksgiving be without football? Some lucky Jets fans decided to forego the traditional home turkey meal for the chance to see their team face off against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jets fans were chilling in a cold rainy parking lot at the new Meadowlands Stadium. "Obviously we're avid football fans and this is once in a lifetime because the way the schedules go this may not happen for another ten years," said Karl Biester of Mannehawken.

Thanksgiving won't mean the traditional warm dining room feel for the Biester family. This year it's gridiron grub, but no worries. They aren't going without all the proper fixings.

"We've got cranberry sauce, we have stuffing.  We have mashed potatoes.  Look at the turkey over there, it's steaming still.  We deeped fried that about 2.5 hours ago," Biester said.

And of course what meal would be complete without holiday pie? "Awesome, awesome, I've been looking forward to this for months.  Every game that passes, I'm like 'Is it Thanksgiving yet? Is it Thanksgiving yet'?" said Chris Biester.

Plenty of other fans chose to dine in the Meadowlands this Thanksgiving, among their football family. "We are cooking a Thanksgiving dinner here.  My aunt made one at home but we decided we're true Jets fans. We'll head out down here," said Kristina Burbes of East Meadow.

And there's also plenty of room to give thanks. "I'm thankful for my family and my friends," Burbes said.

"Family, my job, especially the way things are now, happy to be out here having a good time," said Chris Biester.

"I could have been at my brother's tonight. And as much as I love my family, I love my Jets too," said Sue Zelitsky.

"I spent the early part of my day with my family, enjoyed it.  Then came here with my friends.  My friends are also my family so here I am at the game to enjoy a day with them," said Eddie Eder of Fairlawn.

Fans said Thanksgiving was not about where you celebrate, but simply about being grateful for your surroundings wherever you are.

"I'm thankful for my friends and family and all these awesome people.  I'm surrounded by awesome people all the time," said Laura Lapitka.

"Jets hold a very important place in our hearts.  You got to come show your pride. They're family too," said Scott Donnelly of Montville.