National Football League

Bucs spread holiday cheer with surprise shopping spree

Published Dec. 16, 2014 8:59 p.m. ET

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TAMPA -- They came for a tour but left living a dream.

They came expecting red-carpet treatment at One Buc Place but left with grins, gratitude and wonder after much more.

They came with their eyes wide open but left with hearts full.

Ten Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive linemen, coach Lovie Smith and other staff took part in "D-Line Delivers Christmas" for underprivileged families on Tuesday night, an event that went beyond a 2-12 record, X's and O's and other statistic that fill Tampa Bay's football discussion Monday through Sunday.

This moment was about reflection. This moment was about offering reward.

"Actually, this is not really a tour of the facility, you guys," Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said to 40 families gathered in an auditorium at One Buc Place, about 105 eager faces total. "What this really is, this is our annual D-Line Does Christmas. So what's going to happen is, we have a series of gifts for everybody."

Applause followed. Cheers, too. 'Tis the season after all.

First there were $50 Publix gift cards for the parents. Then there were toy trucks for the kids. Then there were family game-night gift packages, with a red silk Bucs throw blanket and classics such as "Life," "Monopoly" and "Candy Land" brimming from a white laundry basket that made hulking professional football players look like Santa Claus times 10.

There were bicycles outside that made children melt. Then there was a $250 shopping spree at a nearby Target, with smiles upon smiles to light the night long after the sun went down.

Members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive line speak to members of the community during the "D-Line Delivers Christmas" holiday shopping spree.

"I feel like the position that we've been placed in, it's a blessing for us to have the ability to do so," Bucs defensive end Larry English said of giving back. "I think in that sense, you have that responsibility and right to give back. To find this group of people like this, it has been great."

Each family has a story. Each family lived Christmas a little early, the holiday season a little warmer because of this surprise.

Take, for instance, Thyra Flowers. Before loading a bus to Target, she stood near a wall outside as her grandson, Antonio Crockett, mounted his new bicycle. She glowed with pride. She never saw any of what unfolded coming.

"This is so wonderful to see that someone cares enough to give back to us that can't afford it," Flowers said. "It's such a treasure. I'm loving it."

Added Antonio: "It's very exciting."

Take, for instance, Javon Harris. Early Tuesday evening, he wandered in Target's infant/toddler section with his wife, Moneshea, and kids, Davon and Jakyla. He heard before Thanksgiving that his family would attend an event on Tuesday at One Buc Place. He had received word through a connection with the St. Petersburg Boys & Girls Club. But he expected no more than a walk throughout the facility and dinner with the team. This treat blew away expectations.

"It's a lifetime experience," Harris said. "They'll never want to forget it. My son loves the Bucs. He wants to be a football player."

Added Jakyla: "Awesome."

Tampa Bay's Jacquies Smith hands out a present to a child during the "D-Line Delivers Christmas."

It's easy to forget that pro athletes live outside the boundaries in which they're placed. There's life outside the hash marks, the locker rooms and the shallow sound bites received from their tired voices after three-plus hours on the field. There are moments to be enjoyed beyond the sacks, the touchdowns and the highlights that flash across our television screens like lightning.

A real moment is watching McCoy, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound man child, gather kids around him near a practice field like a pied piper in a floppy red Santa hat and say, "When we get around this corner, there are more surprises. ... Slowly, slowly, slowly, slowly, slowly, slowly. OK, go find your name!" before young voices scream and race toward bicycles.

A real moment is watching Eileen Sweeney, the Bucs' director of community relations, turn to Smith as kids mount the bicycles and say, "This is a pretty nice thing," before the coach responds, "Yes, it is."

A real moment is watching defensive tackle Clinton McDonald push a red cart down an aisle at Target as a young boy inside sings, "Jingle Bells."

"We're just so fortunate," McCoy said. "I think people lose sight of how blessed we really are just to play this game. Then we get blessed financially in a different way. I think it's awesome to give back. But more importantly than financially (giving), one thing we do is with our time and how we interact and just showing that you really care. That's a lot of fun."

Families came expecting one experience but received much, much more.

Spreading holiday cheer to all on a good night? There's not much more fun than that.

You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.

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