Bessemer's favorite NFL sons return to distribute free turkeys

[Wolf]

http://www.demecoryans.net/dr/

Bessemer resident Vida Stewart knew she was going to have turkey this Thanksgiving. She just didn't know the turkey would be free.

Stewart was one of 400 people to receive a free turkey Monday night from DeMeco Ryans and Earl Cochran Jr., both National Football League players from Bessemer.

"God is good," Stewart said as she clinched a yellow raffle ticket that entitled her to the turkey. "I am going to have a beautiful Thanksgiving."

Ryans and Cochran play for the Houston Texans. They are both Jess Lanier graduates and Bessemer natives.

The men purchased 400 turkeys for the giveaway. About 350 of the turkeys went to students in the Bessemer city schools, church members and residents that city officials identified as needy recipients.

Another 50 turkeys were given away during a raffle at Bessemer City Hall on Monday night.

Ryans, 24, said he gave away turkeys last year in Houston as a community project for Thanksgiving. This year, he and Cochran said they wanted to come back home and do the same.

"It is great to be blessed enough to be able to do this," said Ryans, a linebacker with the Texans and a former University of Alabama football player. READ MORE

 

[Wolf]

Houston Texans receiver is a major league giver

http://www.star-telegram.com/329/story/1111770.html

He’s a big jolly man with a bright red suit and a sleigh full of loot.

Santa Claus, you might be surprised to learn, lives in Houston.

In spending more than $16,000 for 12 disadvantaged children in his adopted hometown, Andre Johnson, the Houston Texans’ outstanding receiver, discovered that it’s as good to give as it is to receive.

"I don’t feel like Santa Claus, but I get a joy out of seeing those kids happy," Johnson said in a telephone interview. "You really see how much it means to them afterward.

"They come up and give you hugs, and a lot of them just can’t believe that they get a chance to go into the store and get what they want. A lot of those kids have been through so much that that day is probably a day they will never, ever forget."

Johnson is the best receiver you’ve never heard from.

He doesn’t have a touchdown dance or a radio show. He didn’t complain about coach Gary Kubiak or quarterback Matt Schaub after catching only two passes for 19 yards in Sunday’s 27-16 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

He isn’t a self-promoter.

Another story

 

[mike moffat]

Great story. We need to hear more of this type instead of those fools shooting themselves. But, these are Texans. I wouldn't expect anything else.