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After the turkeys have been carved and before the tryptophan naps begin, there will be football.

This Thanksgiving, like every Thanksgiving, families will bundle up and spill out into the yard for a quick catch.

Young players with imaginations stronger than still-growing throwing arms will transform into their favorite quarterbacks.

What’s cool to think about today is that one of those daydreaming kids used to be Brady Cook pretending to be Chase Daniel. And this Thanksgiving, some of those daydreaming kids will be pretending to be Brady Cook.

Count that among the things I’m thankful for from the local sports scene this year. I’m thankful for Cook, what he’s meant to the Missouri Tigers and how Mizzou fans will let him know that loud and clear during Saturday’s senior day celebration at Faurot Field.

All Cook ever wanted to do, he will tell you, is play quarterback for his Tigers. He’s going to go down as one of the toughest to ever do it, and the way in which he did it should be a textbook example for those who earn the same opportunity after he’s gone.

Played hurt. Stayed loyal. Shrugged off the critics. Stiff-armed the competition. Never, ever folded. Won a whole lot more than he lost; with a win against Arkansas, Mizzou would improve to 20-5 over the past two seasons entering its bowl game.

In an era of transfer-portal instant gratification, Cook should be applauded for his dedication and determination. He should be carried off the field Saturday, win or lose, though I don’t like Arkansas’ chances of beating Cook in his final Mizzou home game.

Here’s what else I’m thankful for this year:

I’m thankful for the St. ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë Battlehawks’ playoff run. I’m serious. Yes, head coach Anthony Becht and his guys fell one win short of competing for the league championship on their home Dome turf.It left a sour taste in the beaks of the B-hawks and their fans. But with the Cardinals and Blues missing back-to-back postseasons and City SC sliding in season two, Becht’s birds provided some needed intrigue.

I’m thankful Cardinal Nation is spared from this round of Juan Soto speculation. Watching the madness from afar is more fun when no one thinks there is any chance he’s coming here.

I’m thankful the Musial Awards landed longtime sports broadcaster Bob Costas, Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez and former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. to headline its big night. It was nice to be reminded a St. ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë team can still land big stars.

I’m thankful national baseball writer Keith Law gave Cardinals manager Oli Marmol a third-place vote for National League manager of the year. Now I can no longer can be called Marmol’s biggest apologist! (I voted for Pat Murphy, Mike Shildt and Dave Roberts.)

I’m thankful for the budding managerial careers of former Cardinals teammates Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina. Wondering about their MLB futures in the dugout makes for fantastic column fodder.

I’m thankful for Kelly Chase’s tenacity in his fight against cancer. His mentality should inspire us all, not just the Blues players who honor great effort by handing over his shoulder pads.

I’m thankful for Masyn Wynn’s rise. A youth movement seems a lot more fun when he’s the face of it. Sometimes young guys surprise.

I’m thankful we can finally stop wondering if the right coach will unlock Jordan Kyrou. If Jim Montgomery can’t do it, it can’t be done.

I’m thankful SLU hoops big man Robbie Avila is back after that second ankle scare. Now the Josh Schertz debut season can really get rolling.

I’m thankful Saquon Barkley ran for 255 yards against the Los Angeles Rams the same night the team celebrated the 25th anniversary of the St. ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë Rams wining Super Bowl XXXIV. Football gods must have been watching.

I’m thankful St. ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë Rams great Torry Holt is once again a Hall of Fame semifinalist. His selection is overdue, but his case clearly is not fading. That’s good news.

I’m thankful Jack Flaherty got rescued by his Dodgers teammates in the World Series. If not, Flaherty probably would have found a way to blame Cardinals catcher — I mean first baseman — Willson Contreras for his Game 5 flop.

I’m thankful some smart, wealthy and respected St. ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë ambassadors are interested in trying to bring the WNBA to town. It would work here. I wish them well.

I’m thankful for Chaim Bloom’s growing role with the Cardinals. He didn’t need a slow launch into the president of baseball operations role, but his impact on the team will go beyond his assignment this season to help stop the unraveling of player development. Fans seemed refreshed by his vision and voice. Hopefully he gets to talk a little more often.

I’m thankful for the urgency of Blues general manager Doug Armstrong and City SC sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel. Two team leaders felt like they needed a head coaching change sooner rather than later. Neither hesitated. Now we see if the new guys can do better. Points for urgency.

I’m thankful for Jordan Binnington’s Blues career. He doesn’t get nearly the credit he deserves in the hockey world for being one of the most solid goalies going. Why not? Partly because it’s been a while since he got a shot to remind the hockey world how he can take over games in the playoffs. Time to get him back there.

I’m thankful for the drive, no pun intended, of World Wide Technology Raceway owner Curtis Francois. He just keeps the pedal down, finding ways to bring bigger and better events to his venue. Maybe St. ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë should put him in charge of figuring out what to do with the Rams relocation settlement money?

And as always, I’m thankful for our dedicated Post-Dispatch readers. Thanks for making this job fun. Happy Thanksgiving.