What Athletes Got (And Gave!) for Christmas

In the U.S., we celebrate the Holiday Season in a way that truly fits our American identity. Every family seems to have their own unique brand of traditions; some rooted in religion, others more about bringing everyone together at least once a year.

The one tradition that almost everyone does seem to share, is spending a crap-ton of cash on gifts for our family and friends. If not a literal "crap-ton," at least more than we can usually afford.  

Of course, the spreads underneath our Christmas trees and in our stockings are not all created equal. 

Though this can sometimes be attributed to bad judgement, or just bad taste, most often the strongest correlation between the quality and magnitude of your holiday haul is found in the checking account balance of that special someone (or someones) in your life.

So if you're bummed about the weird, ill-fitting sweater your Great Aunt seems to give you every year, Dwight Howard, Skylar Diggins and other star athletes have used the wonder of social media to remind you that it is that lame. 

Tony Jefferson

Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tony Jefferson received this pair of Nike cleats and swanky piece of luggage from one of his teammates, who he says always give the best gifts. 

Actually he said "great teammates give great gifts." So I wonder what he got from the bad teammates. 

Nathan Stupar

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Nate Stupar's wife Marissa must have been a very good girl this year, as she received a string of pearls from Tiffany & Co. and a purse from Louis Vuitton. 

Santa couldn't have done it any better himself. 

Jeremy Ross

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jeremy Ross got this pile of Nike sneaks from teammate Nate Burleson for Christmas. I think I speak for everyone when I say…I'm pretty sure those blue ones are girls shoes. 

Vernon Davis

Um...wow. Anyone else wishing they were a kid waking up at the home of San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis on Christmas morning? Look at all that loot! 

Dwight Howard

Naturally Houston Rockets big man Dwight Howard got a monster gold chain covered in diamonds for Christmas. It's fitting because that necklace is just like him: overpriced and only occasionally useful. 

Speaking of Dwight Howard! Wait till you see what he got for his teammates...

James Harden

James Harden! You get a Rolex! 

Chandler Parsons

Chandler Parsons! You get a Rolex! 

Greg Smith

And Greg Smith! You get a Rolex too! 

Dwight Howard must have had some coupons for the Rolex store that were expiring at the end of the year. Either that or he got them all for free and gave them away because he ran out of room in his watch closet. 

Joe Haden

Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden got these Nike kicks for Christmas from a friend of his. Apparently he was so touched by the gesture, he decided to pay it forward...

Joe Haden

Joe Haden got a pair of Nikes, while Mrs. Sarah Haden received a very fine pair of Christian Louboutin stilettos and a custom Browns Build-A-Bear!

Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson's little girl may be way too young to get behind the wheel of a race car, but apparently, you're never too young for a kick ass four-wheeler, which is exactly what his three-year-old daughter got from Santa this year. 

Can't wait to see what Johnson buys her for her sweet 16. 

Chris Canty

Baltimore Ravens defensive end Chris Canty and his wife get matching Christmas jammies every year and watch Ben-Hur together with the family. The whole thing is surprisingly adorable. 

Skylar Diggins

WNBA star Skylar Diggins clearly has a family that recognizes her passion/obsession with all things healthy. I guess nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a NutriBullet and a lean, mean, fat-reducing grilling machine?

Actually, that's not true. A simple sugar cookie would convey that message better to most of us than this pile of stuff. 

Mark Herzlich

For Christmas, the New York Giants' Mark Herzlich surprised his girlfriend with a marriage proposal. Obviously she was also feeling the holiday spirit of giving, since she said yes. 

Mark Herzlich

Here's a picture of Mark Herzlich's fiance's diamond up close and personal. Nobody says no to a diamond that massive. Congrats to the happy couple! 

LeBron James

LeBron James' little boys, Bronny and Bryce, first celebrated Christmas with their mom and dad in Los Angeles, because the Heat were in town to play the Lakers. They had no idea this additional stack of goodies was waiting on them back home in Miami. 

Best. Dad. Ever. 

McKayla Maroney

American gymnast McKayla Maroney posted this photo on Christmas with the caption, "My sister got her first phone. She might never look up again." 

Ugh. That'd almost be cute if it wasn't so tragically true. 

Marko Jaric

You'd think being married to Adriana Lima would've exhausted Serbian basketball player Marko Jaric's Christmas wishes through eternity, but the rich do, in fact, usually get richer. 

He and Ms. Lima either received a ride on a yacht, or an actual yacht, from a yacht company as a gift this year. 

Floyd Mayweather

What does every reasonable man in the world want for Christmas? A portable Gucci trunk closet…duh! Never change, Floyd Money. 

Floyd Mayweather

As obnoxious Floyd Mayweather's compulsive spending/gambling can be, at least he's not stingy when it comes to spoiling the ladies in his life. That means his and hers everything—including Porsches. 

Floyd Mayweather

See! His and her everything. Floyd Money spent an awful lot of Floyd's money on these his and her diamond, platinum and gold watches. 

So what time is it? Probably time to go shopping again. 

James Ihedigbo

Baltimore Ravens safety James Ihedigbo received a sweet package of Christmas goodies from Asphalt, and he thanked the company by putting all the items on at once and talking about the brand on social media.

That's the holiday spirit!  

Andre Drummond

Last week the Detroit Pistons' Andre Drummond was looking forward to getting home because he had a new pair of Nike Foams and an Xbox One, each with his name on them. Not literally with his name on them, but you feel me. 

The Rock

The Rock didn't give up any information on Instagram as to what he gave or got for Christmas, but he did share this photo of Santa Rock on cleanup duty. So I guess he got a big bag of garbage! 

Dwyane Wade

EA Sports was nice enough to send multimillionaire basketball star Dwyane Wade the new PS4 and a boatload of video games to go along with it. Because it's not like he could afford to buy one himself or anything. 

Dwyane Wade

While on the West Coast to play the Lakers on Christmas Day, Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade picked up these blingy baubles for the newly affianced Gabrielle Union. The pair were engaged less than a week before the holiday. 

These should go very well with that gloriously massive diamond he slipped on her finger last week.  

Tom Brady

While we may have no idea what's contained in those festively wrapped packages under Tom Brady's Christmas tree, I think it's safe to assume that each likely holds something pretty damn amazing. 

That's just the kind of life Tommy Terrific and the Mrs. lead. Even their dog is perfectly adorable. 

Adam Gettis

Per Washington's official cite, Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III said, "Good season or bad, these are the guys I fight with. We're all going through this together right now. I just wanted to bring a little joy into Redskins Park." 

And nothing brings more joy like gifting your entire offensive line an Xbox One. I need to find a way to get myself on RG3's "nice" list next year.

Alex Morgan

Soccer star—not to mention certified American treasure—Alex Morgan got some pretty interesting jammies for Christmas this year. This is definitely the first time I've ever seen a grown woman—or anyone at all, for that matter—in a leopard print onesie. 

And I hope it's the last. Not that Ms. Morgan doesn't look like her normal stunning self, but I think we can all agree this isn't her best look. 

Connor Barwin

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin should really be feeling thankful for the wonderful woman in his life this Christmas season. Because that lovely lady was amazing enough to get him that glorious portrait at a gift. 

Seriously, who wouldn't kill for something like that to hang up at the office? Well, maybe not kill...but at least consider killing for. 

Antrel Rolle

Well…Giants safety Antrel Rolle definitely gets the "No. 1 Son" award for Christmas this year. He surprised his mother with a new S550 Mercedes for her birthday, which she happens to share with the baby Jesus. 

I'm sure this makes up for all the years of combined gifts she dealt with as a child.