NY Giants dish up food for the needy. via CGG

The West Harlem Food Center was doing its job on Nov. 25, serving dinner plates to those in need: business as usual. That day, however, diners did double takes as they took their food from the counter. Because their servers had very familiar faces: New York Giants’ starting defense players, Justin Tuck, Jeremy Clark and Mathias Kiwanuka were passing not footballs, but trays filled with turkey and sweet potato pie. Every year, the New York Giants put together and serve a Thanksgiving dinner to 700 families in Harlem. The Offense players filled a huge truck with dinner preparing supplies, and the Defense players cooked and served the meal to people in West Harlem.

In between placing pies on plates, the players took some time out to speak with CGG. When asked what Thanksgiving meant to him, Justin Tuck replies, “Thanksgiving is about giving back…sometimes you feel out of touch [when you have so much wealth], and I think God wants us to help other people. This Thanksgiving, I want to give other people things to be thankful for, whether it's a hot meal or a chance to see the Giants team...any way I can, I like to give back.” Whenever a reporter attempted to ask any question regarding the football season, Tuck refused to go off subject: “That’s not important, I don’t want to talk about football. I’m here to help people!”

For Jeremy Clark, spending time with family is the most important part of his Thanksgiving: “"For this Thanksgiving, especially, family's important. In times of trouble, people should have their family to lean on...even when nation is struggling.” When asked why this type of work is important, Clark tells us, “I like giving back because giving back shows you're warm-hearted, not just a rich football player."

Clearly, football was not on their minds. Each player was content to make others happy, and not with their athletic prowess (except when it comes to tossing turkeys). The team players are truly intelligent and compassionate with giant muscles AND giant hearts. Go Giants!

By CGG Contributing Reporter Shamsa Mangalji

Mathias Kiwanuka tosses the butterball. via CGG