Historic Turkey Tussle Returns to Rose Bowl for 77th Edition

[Updated]  When the Victory Bell rings at the Rose Bowl on Friday night, it will echo through generations of Pasadena families who have played on both sides of one of the nation’s most unique high school football rivalries.

The 77th Turkey Tussle between Pasadena High School and John Muir High School kicks off at 7 p.m., continuing a tradition that has united rather than divided city neighborhoods since 1947.

“You could be in the same family playing against each other, cousins, brothers, and so on,” said PUSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco. “It gives them an opportunity to feel like professional football players right at the Rose Bowl and everybody cheering for them. And it reminds me of some college games that I’ve been to.”

That unity is personified in Coach Ron Jones, who as a student was a Muir player but now coaches at Pasadena High School. 

“This being my first year, my strategy going into this game is to try and manage their emotions because it’s going to be an emotional game,” Jones said.

The game’s impact extends beyond athletics. 

“The motivation is already there,” Jones said. “They don’t need to be motivated, but it does help with kids making sure that their studies are up to date, they’re doing well in their classes, just for the opportunity to be able to play in it.”

Winning the Victory Bell trophy, introduced in 1955, drives year-round preparation. 

“We prepare from January all the way up to August for those 15 weeks,” said John Muir High School Coach Lance Mitchell. “That Victory Bell that we get to walk past, when you win throughout the year, it signifies that work that you put in.”

Muir enters as defending champion after last year’s 45-0 victory. The rivalry has spawned other traditions, including the annual “Tuna Tussle” water polo match. 

Muir Principal Lawton Gray emphasizes the lasting community bonds: “For the day of the game, we’ll talk stuff to each other, but then after the game we’re back to being that community… we’re back to being coworkers and going for the same thing to make our district and our students the best possible people that we can be.”

The event includes alumni celebrations and homecoming activities. 

“Our alumni association is amazing,” Gray said. “We actually have an alumni weekend, which is part of our homecoming weekend… Those folks are honored at halftime at the Turkey Tussle.”

The 2024 Turkey Tussle between Pasadena High School Bulldogs and John Muir High School Mustangs is set for Friday, November 1, at 7:00 pm in the Rose Bowl. It will be broadcast live on goPUSD.com/livesports. 

Tickets are available here: https://phs.pusd.us/athletics/turkey-tussle/turkey-tussle or visit https://muir.pusd.us/turkey-tussle.

Via QR codes provided by the schools, with the Rose Bowl operating as a cashless venue. Attendees should note the clear bag policy.