Aaron Rodgers, Sam Shields play Santa for Green Bay Packers
With the Green Bay Packers holding their final practice on Wednesday before an off day on Christmas, several players had a surprise waiting for them at their lockers. Aaron Rodgers, or “Aaron Claus” as David Bakhtiari calls him, had left gifts for all of his Offensive Linemen and backup Quarterbacks, while Cornerback Sam Shield had done the same for members of the Green Bay Packers’ secondary.
As others have mentioned, Rodgers gave his OL and backup QBs 55-inch @samsung TVs for Xmas delivered to locker room.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) December 24, 2014
A photo of the 55″ Samsung curved smart TV’s can be found over at ESPN Wisconsin (yes, televisions have now gone past flat and begun to curve the other way). Along with the TV, Rodgers had left Beats headphones and a Samsung Galaxy tablet for Matt Flynn, Scott Tolzien, all active Offensive Linemen, and even the O-Linemen on Injured Reserve and the Practice Squad.
With a game to decide the NFC North at Lambeau Field against the Detroit Lions this Sunday, Head Coach Mike McCarthy still elected to give players and staff of the Green Bay Packers the full day off on Christmas, which has gone over well within the organization. “It’s great,” said Pro Bowl WR Jordy Nelson on Tuesday. “Coach McCarthy always preaches family, and then over Thanksgiving and Christmas he shows it. It’s one thing for coaches to stand up there and say that family matters and that it comes first and then keep you in all day on Christmas.”
#Packers CB Sam Shields gave out Ugg boots to the other DBs.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) December 24, 2014
Around the league, Justin Forsett of the Baltimore Ravens purchased televisions for his Offensive Line and TE Owen Daniels, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. That gesture was made even more generous by the fact that Forsett is making only the veteran’s minimum on his contract, far below the lucrative deals owned by Rodgers and Shields.
At too many points over the past 2014 season in the NFL, fans have needed a reminder that the overwhelming majority of the players in this league are good, kind people. These are just a few examples from many around the NFL this Holiday season, feel free to share a favorite “team gift” from your team below!