Footballers slog through knee-deep muck in New Hampshire. It’s the Mud Bowl! 

The 2024 series marked the 50th year of the annual event. The three-day, sloppy, muddy tournament wrapped up on Sunday. 

Athletes say playing in mud makes them feel like children again.

“You’re playing football in the mud, so you’ve got to have a smile on your face,” says Jason Veno. The 50-year-old is quarterback of the North Country Mud Crocs. “It’s just a different game in the mud. It doesn’t matter how good you are on grass. That doesn’t matter in the mud.”

This bowl game series takes place at Hog Coliseum in North Conway. A dozen teams competed in the tournament. This year, the Mud Heroes beat the Mud Sharks to take the victory.

Ryan Martin says he’s been playing mud ball for almost 20 years. He likes the opportunity to meet up with old friends.

The mud gets into every nook and cranny of players’ bodies.

“It gets in the eyes. You get cracks in your feet. And you get mud in your toenails for weeks,” Mr. Martin says. “You get it in your ears too. You’ll be cleaning out your ears for a long while.”

Mahala Smith has played football since first grade. She says the weekend was a like a mini vacation. People spend time together around campfires and at hotels and restaurants.

The teams are serious about winning. But it’s all fun once the games are over. Many of the players were star high school or college athletes. Even a few retired pros have played.

Over the years, the event has raised more than $1 million for charity, officials say. This year, the proceeds benefited three local nonprofit groups. Those included a senior volunteer program, a daycare, and a community center.