Mission San Jose's Turkey Bowl comes to a close

For the past 40 years, some 12 to 20 guys, all athletes from Mission San Jose High School, meet on Thanksgiving to play a game of football.

Many come from the Bay Area, but others travel from as far as Hawaii, Utah, and Pennsylvania - leaving family behind.

Their only reward is a bottle of whiskey and the camaraderie of old friends.

Now in their late 50s, and football being a contact sport, most agreed it was time to hang it up.

"We still have the heart and we still have the spirit and we still have the friendship -- none of that's changed, but frankly our bodies are fragile," said Brian Sullivan, a Turkey Bowl player.

They're not quite sure what they'll do next year. One man suggested switching from the Turkey Bowl to turkey bowling.