Here are the 45 Turkey of the Year "winners" who preceded this year's "winner." The Turkey was thought to have been retired in 2017. The Authentic Turkey, a one-year wonder, made an appearance the next year before The Turkey Chairman again sought to retire the honor in 2019. But the pandemic arrived in 2020 and with it came a call for the Turkey's return. That year's winner took a prize known as the Turkey Revived Under Mandate by Public, or TRUMP Award. History will remember them all as Turkeys, however, by any name:
In the Star Tribune (35 years of "winners")
2022: Herschel Walker, ex-Viking and defeated U.S. Senate candidate
2021: Gersson Rosas, former Timberwolves executive
2020: Mark Coyle, Gophers
2019: (The End … or so we thought.)
2018: P.J. Fleck, Gophers
2017: Patrick Reusse, Turkey Chairman
2016: Men's Athletics at the University of Minnesota
2015: The Grim Reaper
2014: 25 Years of the Timberwolves
2013: Terry Ryan, Twins
2012: Tubby Smith, Gophers
2011: Zygi Wilf, Vikings
2010: Brett Favre, Vikings
2009: Tim Brewster, Gophers
2008: Marian Gaborik, Wild
2007: Charlie Weis, Notre Dame
2006: Pam Borton, Gophers
2005: Bob Naegele, Wild
2004: Red McCombs, Vikings
2003: Glen Mason, Gophers
2002: Kevin McHale and Flip Saunders, Wolves
2001: Randy Moss and Cris Carter, Vikings
2000: Jesse Ventura, Minnesota governor
1999: Clem Haskins, Gophers (vacated!)
1998: Carl Pohlad, Twins
1997: Dennis Green, Vikings
1996: Kerri Strug, Olympian
1995: Warren Moon, Vikings
1994: Jack McCloskey, Wolves
1993: Norm Green, North Stars
1992: 25 Years of Gophers football
1991: Chris Doleman, Vikings
1990: Kent Hrbek, Twins
1989: Mike Lynn, Vikings
1988: Lou Nanne, North Stars
In the Pioneer Press (10 "winners")
1987: Carl Pohlad, Twins
1986: Dr. Kenneth Keller, U of M president
1985: Lou Holtz, Gophers
1984: Les Steckel, Vikings
1983: Paul Giel, Gophers
1982: Billy Martin, A's/Yankees
1981: George Steinbrenner, Yankees
1980: Bobby Knight, Indiana
1979: NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle; MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn
1978: Woody Hayes, Ohio State
