When a vehicle pulled up at Tuesday night’s annual Row the Boat Turkey Drive at the University of Minnesota, a young child was greeted by an unexpected sight – a gobbling football player dressed as a turkey.
Gophers pass rusher Jaxon Howard let out a heavy turkey gobble as the child smiled out the window. Moments later, the two of them shared a playful gobble before Howard handed the family a Thanksgiving meal.
The Gopher football program once again partnered with several local organizations to provide 500 full Thanksgiving meals for Twin Cities families. As hundreds of vehicles drove past Minnesota’s indoor practice facility, players and staff welcomed everyone with smiles, holiday tunes and food. Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck and his wife, Heather, also greeted each family while handing out hot chocolate.
Minnesota safety Kerry Brown was in charge of the butter and buns section. Brown introduced himself and shared inspiring words with all of the children. The Gophers young defensive back takes pride in giving back to his local community.
“It’s amazing to do this every year. I was here last year and we had so much fun giving back to the community. Just showing love to everybody,” Brown said. “We’re not able to go back home to our family, so being able to give back to families that are in need, we’re just so thankful.”
Nick Kallerup worked between stations as vehicles pulled up. Now in his sixth year volunteering at the event, the veteran tight end appreciates the perspective it offers.
“I love being out here doing this. It is my sixth year now doing it. It is nice to help when we can,” Kallerup said. “We’re really busy all the time and Norries [Wilson] does a good job scheduling these things where we have the opportunity to help out people who need it. Fleck says it all the time: it gives us perspective.”
Gophers linebacker Derik LeCaptain is grateful that he and his teammates can use their platform to positively impact the Twin Cities community. Years from now, LeCaptain knows it will be a core memory when he reflects on his time in the Gopher football program.
“It just shows our influence as football players. We do play football—that’s what we do—but that’s not who we are. Being able to use our platform of football to give back to the community in an event like this is huge,” LeCaptain said. “This is the stuff that you’re really going to remember when you get together with the guys and talk. We’re going to remember drinking hot chocolate at the turkey drive, handing out turkeys and cakes, and seeing the smiles on faces.”
Tony Nelson, a third-year offensive lineman from Tracy, Minn., is thankful for all of the sponsors who made the night possible. He appreciates the special moment it created for everyone involved.
“My heart is filled with joy and gratitude for what we can do here,” Nelson said. “I’m thankful for all of the donors like Coca-Cola and Cub Foods that gave all of this food so we can give it to the community and see their joy.”
Second-year defensive back Za’Quan Bryan passed out liters of Coca-Cola during the event. Bryan was inspired by all of the smiles he saw in each vehicle.
“I love seeing their reactions. Every time I walk up to the car and hand them a bottle of Coca-Cola, I just see the smile on their face,” Bryan said. “Even though they see us as football players, they also see us as somebody here to help the community. And just seeing the smile on their face and how cheerful they are, it just brings a lot of joy to me.”
What are Minnesota football players thankful for this year?
Kerry Brown: “I’m thankful to God for putting me in the perfect position that I’m in right now. I’m just so thankful for my family being there to support me, my teammates supporting me and my coaching staff for helping me throughout the way in becoming the great man that I am.”
Nick Kallerup: “I’m just thankful to be here. This is my last opportunity here. I wake up every day grateful that I get another day here. Us sixth-year guys, it’s kind of fluke that we’re still here and we just have to make the most of it. And a lot of us, we have been doing a good job of just being grateful and getting the most out of each and every day.”
Derik LeCaptain: “I think the biggest thing I’m thankful for is being a part of this team and being a part of this program. Being here for my sixth year, it’s something you never take for granted. Being a part of something that is so much bigger than yourself. You’re able to do things like this where you’re out in the community doing things that make an impact that are greater than football. And I’m thankful for being healthy and being able to play this year. It’s been awesome.”
Tony Nelson: “I’m thankful for my family. They make such an effort to come see me, especially my parents. Coming to all of the games and everything. I’m just so thankful that even though I can’t go home a lot, they come here and see me.”
Za’Quan Bryan: “I’m thankful for everything. The position I’m in, the organization, how much Coach Fleck cares about giving back to the community. And all of the guys that are here. I love to be around them every day. I’m thankful that I’m around them 24-7.”
Favorite Thanksgiving Food?
Kerry Brown: “The turkey for sure.”
Nick Kallerup: “Cheesy potatoes. My mom makes a cheesy potato type of thing.”
Derik LeCaptain: “My mom makes turkey a la king. It’s like biscuits and a cream sauce with turkey.”
Tony Nelson: “I would say cranberry sauce. Ham over turkey, but you have to have turkey at Thanksgiving. You have to have both.”
Za’Quan Bryan: “I’m a simple guy. I’d have to go ham. Some sweet ham with a drizzle of honey on it.”
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