The NFL has started turning Christmas games into an annual tradition. Prior to 2020, the league had scheduled games on an off day 21 times in its history. Since then, there have been 11 Christmas games this season, including Chiefs-Steelers and Ravens-Texans.
But there’s another Yuletide tradition that’s been established in the NFL for more than four years: Quarterbacks give their offensive linemen lavish holiday gifts.
It should be pretty obvious why quarterbacks want to reward big men whose job it is to protect them from other big men trying to tackle them. An exchange between Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and offensive lineman Alex Capa on a recent episode of “Hard Knocks” did a good job of summing it up.
“Is the O-line fun?” Burrow asked the seventh year guard.
“There are good elements in terms of likes, you’re doing something bigger than yourself. Your work isn’t always celebrated, and you have to celebrate that,” Capa replied. “But like, I think it’s the most worrisome situation.”
“You are never praised for anything good, and for anything bad, you are killed,” Burrow agreed. “Quarterback, if you stink you’re going to get criticized, but if you’re great, that’s great.”
So Christmastime is a way for quarterbacks around the NFL to show their appreciation for their often underappreciated teammates.
Let’s take a look at some of the cool gifts offensive linemen received this year.
Joe Burrow is the Bengals OL. Given samurai swords as gifts
Burrow’s gift to his linemen was the most unique of the year, and led to the best quote of the season: “The fact that he bought me a sword, that’s the most ancient form of honor,” offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. said. told athletic
Burrow later explained Why did he decide on swords?Which belongs to 16th century Japan.
“Well, they wanted guns,” he said. “And I was like, ‘I don’t know about guns, boy.’ So I was in the weapon mindset, and I was like, ‘What’s a cool weapon?’ Samurai swords, I think, are great.”
His linemen agreed.
Kapa told ESPN“My favorite gift I’ve ever received because it’s so different.”
Russell Wilson puts together a loaded gift bag for the Steelers OL
Wilson joined the Steelers this offseason on a one-year, veteran-minimum salary, but the 13-year pro has made enough money in his career to spoil his OL with a loaded gift package that includes:
- A Louis Vuitton duffel bag in the Steelers’ colors of black and gold
- A $10,000 Airbnb gift card anywhere in the world
- A bottle of Ten to One rum (co-owned by his wife Ciara)
- Custom-made Good Men brand shoes in Steelers colors, for each teammate and coach (brand co-founded by Wilson)
Those last two gifts may not have cost Wilson anything, but that doesn’t matter. Wilson wanted to thank the OL for helping pave the way for his bounce-back season, and he delivered.
Patrick Mahomes Chiefs OL For “stocking stuffers” goes perfectly
There were no lumps of coal in these stockings. Or even stockings really, unless you count a $400+ YETI cooler as a stocking.
That’s the same part Mahomes left for his linemen in front of their lockers. He also packed the coolers with items like Hyperice’s Normatek Elite Air Compression Leg Attachment, Rolex watches, Oakley sunglasses, Lucchese leather boots, WHOOP bands and items from Adidas’ Black Y-3 line. per people.
However, Mahomes saved a special gift for his top target, Travis Kelce.
Brock Purdy surprises Channel Oprah and every 49ers OL with a new vehicle
If you’ve ever seen a car commercial during the month of December and wondered who gives someone a new vehicle for the holidays, we have an answer: Purdy does. The 49ers quarterback, who has a sponsorship deal with Toyota, used his connections to present each OL with a new truck — complete with a bow on top, just like in the commercials.
Unfortunately for George KittleTight ends were not on Purdy’s Santa list.
Jaden Daniels Commanders OL Gives a way to relieve the burden
Daniels isn’t the first rookie quarterback to pair his OL with electric scooters; Kyler Murray also did this in 2019.
Still, the Commanders’ first-year signal-caller offered the exact reason why he chose the gift he did:
The No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and is moving on. Break Robert Griffin III’s rookie QB rushing record. He has been sacked 22 fewer times (60 vs. 38) than Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in the draft. Williams is the most sacked quarterback in the league this season, as was Murray five years ago. So it’s understandable that Daniels would want to give the linemen in charge of blocking for him a chance to rest their legs a bit.
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