(Podcast length - 4:38 mins)
These athletes deserve a championship trophy for the well-thought-out gifts to their teammates and loved ones.
Transcript
1. Truly a gift from the heart. For years Peyton Manning wrote handwritten notes to athletes and sports figures he admired. He spent his off-season writing to the people on this list, usually after they reached a milestone or retired. He would note the person's respect for the game along with his notes of best wishes. AN INVALUABLE GIFT
2. Pitcher Max Scherzer (MLB - Major League Baseball) and quarterback Trevor Siemian (NFL - National Football League) know the way to a man's heart through their stomach. The Chicago Bears QB, Siemian loved Skittles, so he purchased custom parkas for his linemen that dispense Skittles. Yes, the fur-trim hooded parkas have a button on the chest that, when pushed, Skittles arrive in a coat pocket.
Scherzer spent time in the minor leagues rehabbing from an injury. He bought his Binghamton Rumble Ponies teammates Apple Air Pods and treated them to a $7,000 lobster and filet mignon dinner to thank them for their hospitality. A DREAM COME TRUE
3. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) offensive line is a giving group that put a new spin on gift-giving. Instead of exchanging with each other, they pooled their money to give special bonuses to staff members who might get overlooked. These people take care of them daily, like the kitchen staff, trainers and the equipment team. THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
4. Pavin Smith is still in the minor leagues, but his heart is big league. Pavin used his $5M signing bonus from the Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB) to pay off his parent's mortgage. Smith joins famous athletes like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Russell Wilson (NFL), who bought their parents a home. GRATITUDE
5. A gift that was designed to be the gift that keeps on giving, New England Patriots (NFL) quarterback Mac Jones gave his linemen bitcoin for Christmas in 2021. Hopefully, they cashed in while it was good. BEST OF INTENTIONS
Bonus: Ever wonder what one might buy a professional athlete who has everything? Well, Roger Federer has been gifted a cow (twice). Other notable gifts professional athletes have received include ice cream, scrapbooks and tribute haircuts and tattoos.
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