5 Insane Sports Inspired Thanksgivings Day Parade Balloons

Final preparations are underway for the much anticipated Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Even though this annual spectacle is filled with an array of great balloons, the world of sports never seems to be properly represented in the parade.

Why is this? The sporting community is loaded with lots of colorful, cartoon-like characters. Maybe it is time for this to change.

So to help parade organizers, here are some potential sports-inspired balloons that would be great to see floating their way through the streets of New York.

Oh... and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

NBA: Gordon Gekko Balloon

To best represent both the NBA players and owners during the lockout, the league could debut its Gordon Geckko balloon.

NHL: Airbag Helmet Balloon

Due to the rash of concussions, the NHL could use the parade to unveil their new safer Airbag Helmet balloon.

Seen here modeled by Pittsburgh Penguin captain Sidney Crosby, the new Airbag Helmet balloon is both functional and fashionable.

NASCAR: Moonshine Balloon

The NASCAR balloon would recapture the sports humble beginnings.

Since NASCAR was born out of the days of running moonshine, this float embodies all the charm and tradition one would expect when being chased down a mountain road by a revenue man.

MLB: Fear the Beard Balloon

How about adding a bit more “awesomeness” to the Macy’s spectacle? What if San Francisco Giants relief ace Brian Wilson teamed up with perennial parade favorite Buzz Lightyear? 

The two have a lot in common. Both believe in the motto “coming to save the day” and both are considered to be true space cadets.

NHL: Brendan Shanahan Balloon

To make sure all parade-goers are behaving properly and that there are no cheap shots, the NHL could enter the Brendan Shanahan balloon.

All along the parade route, the Brendan Shanahan balloon hands out unnecessary suspensions to all parade participants.