General

NBA, NFL Showcasing More Than Just Games on Christmas

Dec 23, 2009, 3:00 PM UTC

â†µThe NBA has owned Christmas Day for as long as one can remember. For years the Christmas Day games were the de-facto start of the NBA schedule ... the first nationally-televised games we could get all season. The NBA games on Christmas Day are still special, even if we have a dozen or so national games each week leading up to the holiday lineup. This year, the NBA features five games on Christmas, giving us ample opportunity to share in the holiday spirit with not just Celtics at Magic or Cavs at Lakers, but three other games as well.â†µ

â†µâ†µNot to be outdone – because really, how could they ever be outdone – the NFL is getting in on the Christmas party, with a primetime game on NFLN between the Chargers and Titans. It’s not exactly the tradition of Thanksgiving Day games, but it’s football, so people will assuredly tune in.â†µ

â†µâ†µBut really, this post isn’t about any of that. The leagues use Christmas Day games to showcase their product to an otherwise captive audience, but what we’d like to focus on is how much good the leagues – and the players – do this holiday season outside the spotlight.â†µ

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â†µDid you know that in 2008 there were 974,337 501(c)(3) Public Charities in the United States, according to IRS filings? That is a staggering number. Most of us can only do so much to help others in need, and with belts getting tighter and tighter around the country this year, charities have been the hardest hit organizations of all. That's why it's great to see athletes who have the means to help, use those means. I'm certain we won't be able to post what every professional athlete on every team did – and we should point out that MLB, NHL and all other sports league have wonderful charity ventures – but we thought it'd be nice to share a few items to remind us that while we watch pro athletes play a game on Christmas for our entertainment, there's a real reason we can call them heroes. No, it has nothing to do with catching a pass or hitting a jump shot.â†µ

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â†µâ†µHere are some heart-warming notes sent over from the NBA. More than 50,000 meals will be served to families by NBA players this holiday season. 20,000 boys and girls will be treated to gifts by NBA teams and players, including one such holiday party Tuesday where the Orlando Magic players and coaches hosted 42 families from the Apopka Family Learning Center. Last week, the Lakers hosted their annual holiday party (video link, not embeddable) for kids at the Mattel Toy Store, signing autographs, playing games and handing out tons of swag to local kids. Speaking of gifts, 150 boys and girls will participate in on-court gift exchanges with NBA players during Christmas Day games. I hope one of them gets Shaq’s shoes.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe NBA is also offering 70 limited edition, holiday-themed basketballs autographed by NBA players, Legends, and celebrities that will be up for auction on NBA.com as part of first-ever NBA Cares Snowflake Ball auction presented by Spalding.â†µ

â†µâ†µWhile the NFL has no league-wide holiday-specific charity ventures, the NFL Charities recently awarded $1.8 million dollars to the Cooper Institute’s FITNESSGRAM as part of their NFL Play 60 initiative. And several teams, including the Seahawks in the video above, take part in spreading holiday cheer.â†µ

â†µâ†µSeveral NFL Players – from Rams tight end Randy McMichael to Saints defensive lineman Charles Grant whose foundation donated $10,000 to under-privileged kids and single moms – took local kids on shopping sprees to make sure they, and their families, had gifts on Christmas. Some members of the Miami Dolphins organization gave out sneakers and food while others helped furnish an entire house for a struggling family.â†µ

â†µâ†µâ‡¥The family of a Naval seaman currently overseas was selected by the Miami Dade Public School system. The mother has Multiple sclerosis and is caring for her two sons on a fixed income. The family previously lived in an unfurnished apartment.â†µâ†µAnd if the cockles of your heart weren’t warmed up enough, there’s visiting sick kids, especially those who may not be home for Christmas. I’ve had the honor of working some of these events in the past, and these kids really get excited to meet the players – actually to just meet anyone so big, athlete or not – and it truly makes an otherwise difficult holiday season memorable for these families. But it’s memorable for the players as well ... it’s not just a photo op. To see what a little kid’s smile can do to an otherwise menacing behemoth of a football player is fascinating. Like, say, this video below of Tampa Bay’s holiday party.â†µâ†µ“We’ve got arts and crafts. We’ve got a tree. We’ve got Santa. What more can you ask for on Christmas?” Sometimes that’s all you need, Chris Hovan. Sometimes that’s all you need.â†µ

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