NFLPA Player Members Pour Back Into Their Communities During Thanksgiving
WASHINGTON, D.C. – NFL Players Association members are committed to giving back year-round, but this Giving Tuesday, we’re especially proud to showcase their impactful efforts to support their communities. From heartfelt initiatives to meaningful contributions, our players have gone above and beyond to spread gratitude this holiday season. The following list highlights just a few of the many creative ways current NFL players give back during the holiday season, spreading joy and generosity in their hometowns and team communities.
The NFLPA would also like recognize and thank our charitable partners (GOODProjects, Men’s Health Network, Laureus Sport for Good, Silence the Shame, Team River Runner, and The VERB Kind) for the work they do to positively impact communities across the country.
Solomon Thomas (New York Jets)
Partnered with the Interfaith Food Pantry Network, donating $8,000 that provided 5,600 meals to Morris County families facing hunger and helping to distribute monthly groceries along with Thanksgiving turkeys and trimmings.
Cam Jordan (New Orleans Saints)
As part of his annual partnership with Giving Hope Nola, he, his wife Nikki and foundation volunteers helped prepare Thanksgiving care packages and then delivered them to 300 families in need.
Camryn Bynum (Minnesota Vikings)
Volunteered to restock the Open Cupboard’s Today’s Harvest market with rescued food, assist shoppers and help reduce food waste while supporting families in need.
Malik Jefferson
His Helping Hand Foundation partnered with Crossroads Community Services for the third annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway, providing more than 1,000 Dallas and Mesquite families with food baskets.
Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)
The 15 and the Mahomies teamed up with Shelter KC to provide 200 meals to Kansas City families experiencing homelessness.
Jermaine Eluemunor (New York Giants)
Hosted a Thanksgiving meal giveaway where he passed out meals to 150 families (many of which included veterans) at the American Eagles Food Pantry of Northern New Jersey.
Matthew Judon (Atlanta Falcons)
He is raising money for the Atlanta Mission this year with his inaugural Skate For a Cause Coat Drive. Everyone who donates a coat will skate free of charge and 15% of all drink sales at the event will also go back to the Atlanta Mission. Matthew also visited a local Publix to surprise families shopping for Thanksgiving fixings and bless them with free groceries through more than $12,000 worth of gift cards.
Andrew Thomas (New York Giants)
Held his sixth annual turkey drive for families in his hometown of Lithonia, Georgia.
Darius Slayton (New York Giants)
Through his Left Hand Right Hand Foundation, more than 300 people across Alabama, Georgia and Texas were provided with Thanksgiving meals.
Josh Hines-Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars)
He and his wife Kaitlyn, along with volunteers from their newly formed Four One For All Foundation, hand-delivered Thanksgiving turkeys and sides to 15 families around Jacksonville’s Out East community.
Dion Dawkins (Buffalo Bills)
His Dion’s Dreamers, in partnership with FeedMore WNY and Back to Basics Outreach, distributed 200+ food boxes and bags of SnapDragon apples to support community members with emergency food supplies for the holiday season and winter weather.
Tyler Biadasz (Washington Commanders)
Distributed 130 boxes containing 20 meals worth of food in each to the underserved families at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, courtesy of his Center of Change Foundation and Mercy Chefs.
A.J. Terrell Jr. (Atlanta Falcons)
The Week 12 NFLPA Community MVP hosted his foundation’s annual Crownucopia event, a two-day, culturally inclusive initiative that provided self-care products and a meal for women and children of color experiencing homelessness in Atlanta.
Grady Jarrett (Atlanta Falcons)
Hosted the eighth Grady Gives Foundation Thanksgiving dinner for 300 people at the Atlanta Mission: The Shepherd’s Inn, which is a shelter for men experiencing homelessness in the city of Atlanta.
Younghoe Koo, Bradley Pinion, Liam McCullough and Avery Williams (Atlanta Falcons)
The Atlanta Falcons specialists hosted their annual dinner at the Atlanta Mission: My Sister’s House for more than 250 women and children in attendance were able to spend time getting to know the specialists, win prizes and enjoy a hot Thanksgiving meal.
Jessie Bates III (Atlanta Falcons)
Held his first Thanksgiving dinner for 150 single mothers and children at the Atlanta Mission: Restoration House, which is a shelter for women and children experiencing homeless in the city of Atlanta.
Travon Walker (Jacksonville Jaguars)
His foundation hosted its third annual turkey drive where 222 meals were given to the elderly and disabled in Walker’s hometown Thomaston, GA.
Rondale Moore (Atlanta Falcons)
Traveled back to his hometown of New Albany, Indianapolis, to visit S. Ellen Jones Elementary and give out over 200 Thanksgiving meals to the next generation and their families.
James Smith-Williams (Atlanta Falcons)
Went to HOPE Atlanta Women’s Community Center and gave an impactful holiday meal to more than 60 women and 25 children.
Cam Heyward (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Partnered with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to host his annual Thanksgiving distribution, providing 200 turkeys and sides to families in need.
Justin Fields (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Provided Thanksgiving dinner, winter gear and grocery store gift cards for 30 young adults from 412 Youth Zone, which supports young adults, ages 16 to 23, who are transitioning out of foster care or facing unstable housing in Pittsburgh.
Pat Freiermuth (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Teamed up with the Boys and Girls Club of Western PA to support 50 students with dinner and gift cards to help their families purchase their own Thanksgiving meal.
Larry Ogunjobi (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Linked up with the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh to host 30 families for a dinner and gift card distribution during his annual Thanksgiving dinner.
DJ Reader (Detroit Lions)
He and his foundation, A Son Never Forgets, hosted “Huddle for the Harvest” in Detroit, distributing 250 free Thanksgiving meals to local families complete with turkeys, soups, mashed potatoes, side dishes and desserts.
Jameson Williams and Kerby Joseph (Detroit Lions)
The Lions teammates distributed 100 turkeys to local families at The Yunion in Detroit.
Zach Sieler (Miami Dolphins)
The Sieler Safe Haven Foundation, in an effort to address food insecurity, provided students at Frederica Wilson Skyway Elementary School with a sit-down Thanksgiving meal.
Emmanuel Ogbah (Miami Dolphins)
His Rise Above Foundation held its third annual Thanksgiving event in partnership with Feeding South Florida, hosting a Mobile FARM-acy that provided local families with Thanksgiving meal ingredients and healthy produce.
Jaelan Phillips (Miami Dolphins)
The Jaelan Phillips Foundation partnered with Break The Cycle, an urban cycling group dedicated to cultivating a culture of fitness through competitive riding while championing impactful causes including the eradication of gun violence, child sex trafficking and health initiatives affecting communities of color. At the event, Thanksgiving meal boxes were given out to 50 local families connected with Break The Cycle.
Tim Settle Jr. (Houston Texans)
Distributed turkeys and gift cards to residents at the Sunnyside Community Center.
Laremy Tunsil (Houston Texans)
Hosted a Thanksgiving food and grocery distribution event at the Houston Texans YMCA.
Jonnu Smith (Miami Dolphins)
His Nu Foundation partnered with HCA Healthcare to serve a sit-down Thanksgiving meal with 150 at-risk youth.
Will Anderson Jr. (Houston Texans)
He and his family packaged fresh produce boxes at the Houston Food Bank before delivering them to senior residents at a local apartment complex. Anderson also donated $5,000 to the organization, which will provide 15,000 meals for those in need.
Nico Collins (Houston Texans)
Distributed Thanksgiving turkeys and hams to recipients at a local food pantry.
Jesse Luketa (Arizona Cardinals)
Visited John F Long Elementary School in Phoenix to honor the students who are participating in the Read Better Be Better campaign to promote literacy.
Jon Weeks (Houston Texans)
Continued his annual tradition of hosting Thanksgiving dinner for heart patients and their families at Texas Children’s Hospital.
Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles)
His foundation teamed up with ACME & Youth Mentoring Partnership to distribute 200 Thanksgiving meals to the Coatesville, Pennsylvania community.
Nakobe Dean (Philadelphia Eagles)
Distributed 250 turkeys and 200 boxes containing 15 meals worth of food in each box at the Impact Center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Michael Jackson (Carolina Panthers)
Jackson’s foundation R.A.C.E (Raise Above Current Environment) hosted the fifth annual turkey drive at Ensley Recreation Center in Birmingham Alabama, where he gave out 1,000 turkeys, 200 chickens and 1,200 boxes filled with canned goods.
Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs)
Participated in the Thanksgiving meal giveaway for the third consecutive year, as 300 families received full Thanksgiving meals along with additional groceries through KC Dream Center, an organization dedicated to reducing hunger and preventing homelessness in the community.
Pharaoh Brown (Seattle Seahawks)
Kicked off the holiday season with the Dream Big Thanksgiving Giveaway, where he distributed traditional holiday fixings like stuffing, potatoes, and fresh produce to the Seattle community.
Jonathan Jones (New England Patriots)
His Next Step Foundation teamed up with the Blue Hills Boys & Girls Club to host his annual Turkey Bowl flag football tournament and provide a Thanksgiving dinner.
Tyrann Mathieu (New Orleans Saints)
Mathieu, alongside his Saints teammates, helped pass out turkeys and Thanksgiving meals to more than 300 families, along with traditional fixings to help create a bountiful holiday.
Bradley Chubb (Miami Dolphins)
Provided a pre-Thanksgiving dinner to the youth and families at the Huizenga Club of the Boys & Girls Club of Broward County and did a follow-up visit a week later to hang out with the kids.
Brandon Coleman (Washington Commanders)
Partnered with NFLPA charitable partner GOODProjects to host a Thanksgiving meal for over 300 youth from the George M. Ferris, Jr. Clubhouse 6 of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington.
Brenden Schooler (New England Patriots)
Partnered with the Hockomock YMCA in Foxborough to donate turkeys and other Thanksgiving essentials to 30 families.
Andrew Thomas (New York Giants)
Teamed up with the Atlanta Community Food Bank and the Mayor of Lithonia to give away 300 turkeys and essential pantry items to his hometown of Lithonia, GA.
Zamir White (Las Vegas Raiders)
Donated over 400 turkeys and essential side dish supplies to those in his hometown of Laurinburg, NC.
D’Ernest Johnson (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Hosted a surprise Thanksgiving dinner for 150 youth at the NFL YET Boys and Girls Club in Jacksonville, Florida.
Jalyx Hunt (Philadelphia Eagles)
Teamed up with Savvy Home Care and distributed turkeys to 250 families in Chester, PA alongside teammate Cooper DeJean.
Marcus Davenport (Detroit Lions)
Distributed 200 Thanksgiving meals to local families in Detroit through his foundation.
Taylor Decker (Detroit Lions)
Hosted a Thanksgiving lunch for 80 people at Alternatives For Girls, which helps girls and young women experiencing homelessness and other risks avoid violence, early pregnancy and exploitation.
Ed Ingram (Minnesota Vikings)
Donated $5,000 to the Minnesota Children’s Hospital and joined patients on the sickle cell floor to supply a holiday meal.
Jacoby Brissett (New England Patriots)
He and several of his teammates served meals at St. Francis House, a homeless shelter in Boston.
AJ Dillon (Green Bay Packers)
At Concordia University Wisconsin, AJ led a discussion with 75 future leaders in sports and entertainment, sharing insights on the intersection of family business, highlighting his work with the Dillon Family Foundation and encouraging the next generation to get involved.
Arik Armstead (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Arik and his wife, Mindy, co-founders of the Armstead Academic Project (AAP), visited West Riverside Elementary to host the Armstead Academic Project's (AAP) latest storytime focusing literacy and education. The Armsteads also donated $50,000 to Sacramento’s Department of Sound to launch an after-school program combining music, podcasting, STEAM and mental health support for students.
Brian Asamoah (Minnesota Vikings)
Launched the U14 Brian Asamoah League, backed by his Be Authentic Foundation, to promote academic excellence, character, football and community spirit in Ghana. The league, which builds on the success of the U12 league by the Eagles, NFL Africa, and the Ghana American Football Federation, featured a tournament in Accra where the winning team received a year's worth of school funding.
Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears)
At a recent game, as part of Caleb Cares' initiative to host high school students at every Bears home game, Alexi and Lila from Lane Tech’s flag football team joined Caleb and three other captains for the pre-game coin toss, with Caleb offering encouragement to them.
Cole Strange (New England Patriots)
Held his second Annual Evening to Salute Veterans, honoring military veterans and raising support for their needs. Cole personally donated $69,000 to fund mental health grants for veterans through his nonprofit, The Cole Strange Foundation.
DeShon Elliott (Pittsburgh Steelers)
DeShon hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for 15 kids, including a fireside chat on mental health. Each child received a $250 gift card for Thanksgiving groceries and another a $250 card for a shopping spree alongside DeShon.
Drake Maye (New England Patriots)
The North Carolina native donated $10,000 to The Salvation Army to support communities that are still recovering from Hurricane Helene. His contribution helped provide 100,000 meals along with supplies and cleanup kits for 500 families to help restore their homes.
Harrison Phillips (Minnesota Vikings)
Invited a dozen of his Harrison's Playmakers to volunteer in distributing over 200 turkeys, gift cards, groceries, and Vikings sweatshirts to approximately 280 Minnesota veterans.
Jack Jones (Las Vegas Raiders)
Teamed up with the local nonprofit Casa de Luz for a Thanksgiving extravaganza featuring meal kits and grocery store gift cards for 200 families to have a festive holiday feast.
Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles)
Through his foundation's Keep It Cool initiative, where $5,000 is pledged for every touchdown Jalen scores, $110,000 (and counting) is set to be donated to address the inadequate cooling systems in local Philadelphia schools.
Jeffery Simmons (Tennessee Titans)
Partnered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee site-based program for a visit to Preston Taylor Ministries, where Jeffery spent time playing different sports with the kids while also hosting a classroom lesson to teach the young athletes how to tackle life’s challenges.
Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers)
Jordan, along with Packers teammate Malik Willis, partnered with Better Days Mentoring LLC to deliver 1,100 winter coats through its fifth annual coat drive. Love’s foundation also pledged over 600 cleats to Wisconsin youth teams through 10ve for Cleats, easing the financial strain on families in youth sports.
Markquese Bell (Dallas Cowboys)
The Dallas Cowboys defender and proud dog owner hosted a dog-friendly playdate at MUTT's and donated to the shelter, bringing together sports fans and their pets to support Rex’s Animal Rescue.
Nik Bonitto (Denver Broncos)
Partnered with Food Bank of the Rockies to distribute turkeys and other Thanksgiving sides to 200 families at Aurora Community Connection.
Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders)
The Washington wide receiver opened his third Terry's Locker location at Mount Vernon Community Schools in Alexandria, providing students with access to washers, dryers, and hygiene products to boost confidence and dignity.
Damar Hamlin (Buffalo Bills)
The 2023 NFLPA Alan Page Community Award winner hosted his annual turkey drive, where more than 150 families in Buffalo were served a Thanksgiving meal and a generous donation was made to Buffalo Police Athletic League (PALS).
Hayden Hurst (Los Angeles Chargers)
The Hayden Hurst Family Foundation showed appreciation for the military by sponsoring a snow hill for Marines and their families at the Camp Pendleton Tree Lighting Celebration with a $5,000 contribution. The foundation also treated 8 Marines to a Chargers game at Sofi Stadium.
Kareem Jackson (Buffalo Bills)
Jackson's foundation hosted a "Pretty in Pink" event to honor 40 women impacted by breast cancer with a gourmet dinner, flower and charm making, hand massages, and more. The event was inspired by Jackson’s mother, a two-time breast cancer survivor.
Kelvin Beachum (Arizona Cardinals)
The five-time NFLPA Community MVP hosted his annual food distribution for families at Eisenhower School for Innovation, as he personally donated $5,000 to feed 250 families in a drive-thru style distribution.
Keon Coleman (Buffalo Biills)
Launched the Keon Coleman Family Foundation by purchasing winter coats for 85 kids from the Buffalo Boys & Girls Club and hosting them for a special day at Highmark Stadium.
Zach Ertz (Washington Commanders)
The Ertz Family Foundation partnered with D.C.’s Feast of Sharing Event to provide 5,000 coats to vulnerable D.C.-area residents and a $125,000 donation. He also donated $100,000 to House of Hope in Philadelphia.
Osa Odighizuwa & Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys)
Osa and Micah teamed up with Duncanville High School and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to give out turkeys to over 600 families. Osa also made nine home visits to deliver Thanksgiving meals to additional families in need.
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