The Tennessee all-time great has given his teammate a car gift.
Huge, unopened boxes and crates, usually at the feet of grateful offensive linemen, are a common sight in locker rooms across the NFL around Thanksgiving. Nothing quite says “thank you” like that.
It’s unclear when it started, but for many years, elite running backs and starting quarterbacks have lavished extravagant gifts on the men who block for them.
These days, the spirit of the holidays extends well beyond the locker room. Throughout the year, professional athletes give generously of their personal time and money to numerous causes, both large and small. While many of these altruistic endeavors go unnoticed by the public, others do receive public recognition.
The Cardinals, for instance, took part in two of these activities this week. One was a 16-year-old “Feed the Hungry” campaign spearheaded by team President Michael Bidwill at the Phoenix Rescue Mission, and another was a Tempe elementary school meal-serving program headed by Patrick Peterson.
NFL MENU: Why you shouldn’t watch Thanksgiving weekend football on TV
Hence, there are two types of giving: giving to the community and giving to teammates on the football field. And they do it to a great extent because they are professional football players.
Gifts ranging from personalized snowmobiles to luxury cars, as well as custom suits and cutting-edge big-screen TVs, begin to arrive between now and Christmas.
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Indeed, automobiles. Following the New England Patriots’ 16-0 regular season, which was the first in NFL history, Tom Brady gave Audi Q7 SUVs, which were estimated to be worth $50,000, to each of the starting five offensive linemen.
Alex Boone, left guard for the Cardinals, replied, “Yeah, I saw that.” “You have to be kind.”
Okay, so most gift-giving isn’t exactly that ostentatious, but there are definitely instances of one-upsmanship. Usually enough, with flamboyant barbecues and Rolex watches. Even so, there are highlights to this yearly custom, and these days, receivers are more than just offensive linemen and tight ends.
