1. Josh Allen's big gift for Buffalo's "big guys"
When it comes to the holidays, Bills players really know how to get in the spirit. From delivering presents to families in the Western New York community to hosting shopping sprees for kids, there's been no shortage of cheer. In the days leading up to Christmas, quarterback Josh Allen took a play out of old St. Nick's book when he presented members of the team's offensive line with the perfect gift.
To show his appreciation for Buffalo's "big guys," the signal caller gave them each a brand-new grill. Pumped for their backyard accessory, several linemen, including Dion Dawkins, Cody Ford and Quinton Spain, took to social media to thank Allen for his generosity.
In his Christmas Eve press conference, Allen not only reminisced on what his favorite present was growing up (a "Green Machine" trike), he shared why it's so important for him to give back to others in the area – especially during this special time of year.
"I remember being a kid and looking up to guys that were in my situation that I'm in now and knowing that a simple gesture of a hi or a high five or going to see them and letting them know that I care about them and people care about them in our community," he said. "I know what that would have done for me when I was little.
"Any chance or any opportunity that I have to do that for children, especially ones that are going through a hard time that no child should be going through during the holiday season, just making sure that their families know that we care about the community and we care about their kids [I'm going take]. Our job is not only to be football players but to be good people off the field and I truly believe that."
Scroll through to view the top photos of Buffalo Bills players and staff volunteering in the local community leading up to and during the holidays.
December 10 – Jordan Poyer, Mike Love, Shaq Lawson, Harrison Phillips, Victor Salako and Vincent Taylor visited BPS 31 for a Play 60 school visit.
December 10 – Jordan Poyer, Mike Love, Shaq Lawson, Harrison Phillips, Victor Salako and Vincent Taylor visited BPS 31 for a Play 60 school visit.
December 10 – Jordan Poyer, Mike Love, Shaq Lawson, Harrison Phillips, Victor Salako and Vincent Taylor visited BPS 31 for a Play 60 school visit.
December 10 – Jordan Poyer, Mike Love, Shaq Lawson, Harrison Phillips, Victor Salako and Vincent Taylor visited BPS 31 for a Play 60 school visit.
December 10 – Ty Nsekhe hosted a "Shop with a jock" event for over 50 kids in conjunction with the Salvation Army.
December 10 – Ty Nsekhe hosted a "Shop with a jock" event for over 50 kids in conjunction with the Salvation Army.
December 10 – Ty Nsekhe hosted a "Shop with a jock" event for over 50 kids in conjunction with the Salvation Army.
December 10 – Buffalo Bills players, including the Toyota Rookie Club, hosted the annual Holiday party for children at the Hamburg Fairgrounds.
December 10 – Buffalo Bills players, including the Toyota Rookie Club, hosted the annual Holiday party for children at the Hamburg Fairgrounds.
December 10 – Buffalo Bills players, including the Toyota Rookie Club, hosted the annual Holiday party for children at the Hamburg Fairgrounds.
December 10 – Buffalo Bills players, including the Toyota Rookie Club, hosted the annual Holiday party for children at the Hamburg Fairgrounds.
December 10 – Buffalo Bills players, including the Toyota Rookie Club, hosted the annual Holiday party for children at the Hamburg Fairgrounds.
December 10 – Buffalo Bills players, including the Toyota Rookie Club, hosted the annual Holiday party for children at the Hamburg Fairgrounds.
December 12 – Devin Singletary hosted a shopping spree for local kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Buffalo.
December 16 – Harrison Phillips teamed up with The Playmakers Organization to wrap presents for children at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital.
December 16 – Harrison Phillips teamed up with The Playmakers Organization to wrap presents for children at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital.
December 16 – Jordan Poyer and Lorenzo Alexander attended a fundraiser for "Andre the Warrior" in downtown Buffalo.
December 16 – Jordan Poyer and Lorenzo Alexander attended a fundraiser for "Andre the Warrior" in downtown Buffalo.
December 16 – LB Lorenzo Alexander surprised players from the South Park High School football team and The Belle Center with gifts for the holidays.
December 16 – LB Lorenzo Alexander surprised players from the South Park High School football team and The Belle Center with gifts for the holidays.
December 16 – LB Lorenzo Alexander surprised players from the South Park High School football team and The Belle Center with gifts for the holidays.
December 17 – Micah Hyde hosted his annual "Kicks for Kids" event through his IMagINe for Youth Foundation. Multiple players, including Lorenzo Alexander, Tre'Davious White, Kurt Coleman, Matt Milano, Lee Smith and Julian Stanford tagged along to show their support.
December 17 – Micah Hyde hosted his annual "Kicks for Kids" event through his IMagINe for Youth Foundation. Multiple players, including Lorenzo Alexander, Tre'Davious White, Kurt Coleman, Matt Milano, Lee Smith and Julian Stanford tagged along to show their support.
December 17 – Micah Hyde hosted his annual "Kicks for Kids" event through his IMagINe for Youth Foundation. Multiple players, including Lorenzo Alexander, Tre'Davious White, Kurt Coleman, Matt Milano, Lee Smith and Julian Stanford tagged along to show their support.
December 17 – Micah Hyde hosted his annual "Kicks for Kids" event through his IMagINe for Youth Foundation. Multiple players, including Lorenzo Alexander, Tre'Davious White, Kurt Coleman, Matt Milano, Lee Smith and Julian Stanford tagged along to show their support.
December 17 – Micah Hyde hosted his annual "Kicks for Kids" event through his IMagINe for Youth Foundation. Multiple players, including Lorenzo Alexander, Tre'Davious White, Kurt Coleman, Matt Milano, Lee Smith and Julian Stanford tagged along to show their support.
December 17 – Trent Murphy hosted a "Shop with a Cop" event for local children in Orchard Park. Ed Oliver and Darryl Johnson also participated in the event.
December 17 – Trent Murphy hosted a "Shop with a Cop" event for local children in Orchard Park. Ed Oliver and Darryl Johnson also participated in the event.
December 17 – Trent Murphy hosted a "Shop with a Cop" event for local children in Orchard Park. Ed Oliver and Darryl Johnson also participated in the event.
December 17 – Trent Murphy hosted a "Shop with a Cop" event for local children in Orchard Park. Ed Oliver and Darryl Johnson also participated in the event.
December 23 – Bills general manager Brandon Beane and his family donated and delivered gifts to children at the John R. Oishei Children's Hospital.
December 23 – Bills general manager Brandon Beane and his family donated and delivered gifts to children at the John R. Oishei Children's Hospital.
December 23 – Bills general manager Brandon Beane and his family donated and delivered gifts to children at the John R. Oishei Children's Hospital.
December 23 – Dion Dawkins donated gifts for the Holidays and surprised the families by delivering the gifts to them at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital.
December 23 – Dion Dawkins donated gifts for the Holidays and surprised the families by delivering the gifts to them at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital.
December 23 – Buffalo Bills wide receivers surprised local families through the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County by donating gifts. Duke Williams, Ray-Ray McCloud III, Andre Roberts and Isaiah McKenzie spent the evening delivering the gifts in person.
December 23 – Buffalo Bills wide receivers surprised local families through the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County by donating gifts. Duke Williams, Ray-Ray McCloud III, Andre Roberts and Isaiah McKenzie spent the evening delivering the gifts in person.
2. Lawson draws on personal experience to surprise two local students
Like many of his teammates, Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson's selfless acts of kindness have not gone unnoticed this holiday season. In a continued effort to make a difference, Lawson recently paid a visit to nearby Niagara Falls High School to surprise a pair of student athletes. Brothers Javion and Jesiere Carter, both football players and wrestlers, tragically lost their mother in December of 2014. Empathetic to their situation, Lawson, whose father passed away when he was just 16 years old, decided he wanted to do something nice for the boys.
The Carters were unsuspecting when their principal Cynthia Jones pulled them aside during their wrestling practice. Waiting to greet them was Lawson, who came bearing gift bags for the pair. Among those who watched the heartwarming moment unfold, was their father, Terry, and fellow athletes that clapped with excitement for the teens.
His genuine desire to positively impact those around him, is a characteristic that has come to define Buffalo's 2016 first-round draft pick and one that he highly values.
