Kicker Chad Ryland spent time with Amelia and Victoria. Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting spent time with a big group, and even though the girls were more interested in the cheerleaders, they had memorable conversations.
“We were around the UGGs and Stanley Cups, and it was a lot different than what I’m used to, but I enjoyed just seeing them be happy,” Murphy-Bunting said. “The joy that they get from seeing the chance to get these gifts that they want. Their faces light up, so it’s really cool to see and witness.”
Murphy-Bunting has been sidelined all season, so having the chance to put on the jersey, even for a community event, is meaningful.
“For myself, it’s always fun being around everybody,” Murphy-Bunting said. “That’s one thing I wanted to make sure that I did was stay around the guys and stay as involved in the community as possible.”
The holiday season was pretty different for Hjalte Froholdt when he was growing up. The center, raised in Denmark, would request football equipment as his presents.
On Tuesday night, the girl dad himself was put to work.
“I think the main focus is just to be able to give back to the community,” Froholdt said. “All the fans and the community around here is the reason why we get to play this amazing sport. What better way to do it than around the holidays?”
Brissett agreed with his center, adding that the holidays are “the perfect time to really pour into the community and give back.”
As Brissett stood near the cash register, watching his teammates file in one by one with carts full of gifts, there was a sense of pride.
There wasn’t just a smile on the kids’ face. There was one on his own.
“It shows that we got the right guys,” Brissett said. “Regardless of the record and how the season’s going, guys put their pride aside and put their professional side to come out here and really pour into what’s really important and that’s giving back.”