We look at football players as some of the toughest people but really, they’re just big teddy bears.
It isn’t anything new to see players from our beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers doing community service. For the last decade, players from the offensive line put together an annual event called “Turkey Time with the O-Line,” where they give away Thanksgiving meals to deserving families. Former players Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood started the annual event in 2012. Offensive tackle Demar Dotson continued the tradition after Joseph and Trueblood left the team.
“When they left, I called them up and asked if I could continue what they started and they said, ‘Yes,’” Dotson tells CL. Once he got everyone else on board, it was smooth sailing. He says sometimes events put on by players that leave die out, so he had the privilege of keeping Turkey Time with the O-Line going.
“I think what we’re doing is a good thing. I didn’t want to see it die off.”
Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Glazer Family Foundations Brian Bell says the player-led initiative highlights not only how passionate they are but also how generous the team is.
“It’s something they get really excited about. It’s one of those things where our players really show support for the community,” says Bell.
Last year, the Bucs partnered with organizations United Way and Feeding Tampa Bay as well as Publix to locate underserved families and provide full Thanksgiving meals. Funds for the event are raised from player donations. “Typically, we don’t have a lot of outside help because it is player-led. We plan for a certain amount of families but we still overdeliver,” says Bell.
Left guard Ali Marpet’s experience in the Buccaneer’s rookie program showed him how valuable community service events like Turkey Time with the O-Line are to the team; it’s his fifth year participating. He says going through the rookie program and learning from the seasoned vets showed him how to make an impact.
“[It] puts an emphasis on community engagement. I’ve been in the community learning from the older guys that have done such a phenomenal job trying to make a change,” Marpet explains.
Offensive tackle Donovan Smith says being able to give the families a Thanksgiving meal is a blessing.
“It feels good just to see the smiles on everyone’s face for a good cause. Thanksgiving is about giving back so to be able to do that is a great time,” he says.
A date for 2019’s event — which is so massive, cars are lined up outside gates before the festivities begin — hasn’t been confirmed yet but it is happening before Thanksgiving at 1 Buc Place. For Bell, seeing the excitement from his teammates is refreshing.
“It reinforces that the players are doing a really good thing. People don’t realize how many are in need and you want to help as many as you can,” explains Bell.
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This article appears in Nov 14-21, 2019.
