Athletes Celebrating Christmas
Social media apps like Instagram have created an era where athletes have an unprecedented platform for sharing their life and thoughts in words, images and sounds—and have given sports fans unprecedented access to athletes' lives in real time.
Though this new dynamic is simultaneously awesome and problematic, the reality for anyone who's curious about the daily existence of an athlete is that access doesn't equate to entertainment.
The true value of having access is realized when something special occurs; who cares if Russell Wilson had a banana for breakfast? You want to see if he tweets something about the Percy Harvin trade as it's happening or pics of his teammates celebrating after a big win.
Now that Christmas is here, this is one of those moments when fans can truly appreciate having a social media-enabled window into the lives of their favorite athletes. We get to see what kind of haul their children take in on Christmas morning, whether they celebrate with friends or family or do something entirely unexpected.
So let's take a look at how athletes around the world (but mostly in the United States) are celebrating Christmas! And be sure to check back frequently for updates!
Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers
1 of 71Instagram ID: yasielpuig
Caption: Feliz navidad #merrychristmas #goodtime
Chandler Parsons, Dallas Mavericks
2 of 71Instagram ID: chandlerparsons
Caption: Merry Christmas from Dallas!
Wesley Woodyard, Tennessee Titans
3 of 71Instagram ID: mrsdoubleu
Caption: So Santa wanted to play with the Coasters first... Then take a nap... We have yet to open gifts. MerryChristmas from my family to yours
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
5 of 71Instagram ID: justinjames99
Caption: Turbo Man, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots & a Weenie Whistle... Best family ever!!! #ItsTurboTime
Ian Poulter, PGA
6 of 71Instagram ID: ianjamespoulter
Caption: What a great sunset out there for Christmas Day. What a superb day friends.
Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
7 of 71Instagram ID: rgiii
Caption: Merry Christmas!!!!!
It's more about the gifts you give than the gifts you get!!! And you guys have been a gift to me and my family. Thank you for your support!!! Blessed to say I have the best fans, friends, & family in world!!!!
Matt Barnes, Los Angeles Clippers
8 of 71Instagram ID: matt_barnes9
Caption: Christmas 2.0
Santa does it again, the boys got their NFL jersey fix!! Merry Christmas from the Barnes Family!
Courtney Upshaw, Baltimore Ravens
9 of 71Instagram ID: 334upshaw41
Caption: Back again with my guy the king himself CJ lol.
Candace Parker, WNBA
10 of 71Instagram ID: candaceparker
Caption: Merry Christmas from The Williams family! #Love#Holidays @sheldenwilliams
Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals
11 of 71Instagram ID: devine_mathieu
Caption: Merry Chrima to everyone and their family!
Nastia Liukin, U.S. Women’s Gymnastics
12 of 71Instagram ID: nastialiukin
Caption: Merry Christmas #threegenerations
Matt Hasselbeck, Indianapolis Colts
13 of 71Instagram ID: hasselbeck
Caption: Father/son fire pit... sorry @tth617 @nhasselbeck. (btw, we have no wrapping paper or boxes left at our house)
Rickie Fowler, PGA
14 of 71Instagram ID: therealrickiefowler
Caption: The fam! #MerryChristmas #GoPro #Hero4
Adam Jones, Cincinnati Bengals
15 of 71Instagram ID: therealpacman
Caption: All this for 2 special lil girl !!!!
Tajuan Walker, Seattle Mariners
17 of 71Instagram ID: tskywalk44
Caption: We out here in our #Saints snuggie hahaha thank you@nastynish #saints #whodat #forevercomfy#putusincoach #weready #justoneplayplease@shame24 #walkerboyz
Julia Mancuso, Olympic Skier
20 of 71Instagram ID: juliamancuso
Caption: Merry Christmas from the snow!!! I think I was nice this year:)
Toronto Maple Leafs
21 of 71Instagram ID: torontomapleleafs
Caption: The Toronto Maple Leafs wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
McKayla Maroney, U.S. Women’s Gymnastics
22 of 71Instagram ID: mckaylamaroney
Caption: Merry Christmas Eve
Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts
23 of 71Instagram ID: vontaedavis
Caption: Had a great time w/ teammates @ my Holiday shopping experience w/ @handsofhopein
Scottie Pippen, Retired NBA
24 of 71Instagram ID: scottiepippen
Caption: Merry Christmas from #teampippen
Rory McIlroy, PGA
25 of 71Instagram ID: rorymcilroy
Caption: Merry Christmas everyone!! In the McIlroy household we are getting prepared for our favourite part of the day #turkey #stuffing #caloriesgalore #foodcoma
Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints
28 of 71Instagram ID: pierre_thomas
Caption: Since my families together in Chicago it's just me a smokey out here in New Orleans but we have a great time on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas everybody!!
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
30 of 71Instagram ID: dangerusswilson
Caption: Merry Christmas from @rob_willsun and I!!! Kicking it in the crib!
CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
31 of 71Instagram ID: 3jmccollum
Caption: Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas
Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles
32 of 71Instagram ID: mark_sanchez
Caption: ¡FELIZ NAVIDAD! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Alana Blanchard, Surfer
33 of 71Instagram ID: alanarblanchard
Caption: Merry Christmas everyone. Family beach day.
DJ Fluker, San Diego Chargers
34 of 71Instagram ID: chargerwarrior76
Caption: My Christmas present is to the juvenile home. To all these kids. #Gottolobethekids
Prince Fielder, Texas Rangers
35 of 71Instagram ID: officialprince84
Caption: Great time with the Jones family.
#Christmastrip #kickinit
Tom Brady, New England Patriots
36 of 71Instagram ID: giseleofficial
Caption: All I want for Christmas ...
Heather Mitts, Retired U.S. Women’s Soccer
40 of 71Instagram ID: hmitts2
Caption: "Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"
–Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Happy Holidays!
Brandon Meriweather, Washington Redskins
41 of 71Instagram ID: meriweather31
Caption: Only my family can make a pic with Santa look hard lmmfao.
Ronnie Brewer Jr., NBA Free Agent
42 of 71Instagram ID: ronniebrewerjr11
Caption: What a blessing the @ronbfoundation was able to provide toys to the @cscnwa. Donations by our community allowed these kids to have a happy holiday.
Mike Miller, Cleveland Cavaliers
43 of 71Instagram ID: letitflymm13
Caption: How the grinch stole #Christmas .. All about the kids#letitfly
Caroline Wozniacki, Tennis
45 of 71Instagram ID: caroline_wozniacki
Caption: Caro and her brother doing some Christmas shopping. merry Christmas everyone
Hanley Ramirez, Boston Red Sox
47 of 71Instagram ID: hanleyramirez13
Caption: Feliz navidad #sitomasnomanejes
Philadelphia Eagles
48 of 71Instagram ID: philadelphiaeagles
Caption: Our #EaglesCheer #WCW Stephanie shares some holiday cheer with her puppy pal. #FlyEaglesFly
Tony Jefferson, Arizona Cardinals
50 of 71Instagram ID: tonyjefferson1
Caption: & to bed he and I go lol got practice tomorrow got dam
DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
51 of 71Instagram ID: deandrejordan6
Caption: We're Ready!!! #Family
Gretchen Bleiler, Snowboarder
52 of 71Instagram ID: gretchenbleiler
Caption: Nothing says Christmas like "little" Andy topping off the Christmas tree with the silver star! And look at that form too...proper #MerryChristmasEveToAll#TheMostWonderfulTimeOfYear
Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers
54 of 71Instagram ID: matszuccarello
Caption: Merry christmas everyone.
Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens
55 of 71Instagram ID: torreysmithwr
Caption: There is nothing like seeing someone smile during the holiday season! Blessed!
Gregory Polanco, Pittsburgh Pirates
56 of 71Instagram ID: gpolanco25
Caption: Juego Navideño.. Sabana perdida!
Mercedes Terrell, Bellator Ring Girl
58 of 71Instagram ID: mercedesterrell
Caption: #prezzies #nopeeking #donteventhinkaboutit#naughtyornice #betternotpout #MercedesTerrell@lindseybowyer @monsterenergy #MonsterElfs#MonsterGirls #ChristmasEve #xmasEve
Miles Plumlee, Phoenix Suns
59 of 71Instagram ID: mc_plumlord
Caption: Suns Xmas party with @shavrandolph1
Paula Creamer, LPGA
60 of 71Instagram ID: paulacreamer1
Caption: Happy Christmas Eve... #NewZealand#honeymoon #MrsHeath
Heath Hembree, Boston Red Sox
61 of 71Instagram ID: heathhembree
Caption: Cheers to Christmas being here
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers
62 of 71Instagram ID: jonathanstewar1
Caption: Merry Christmas Eve! Christmas spirit this morning is running deep at the panthers facility #Rudolph
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
63 of 71Instagram ID: aleksandrovechkinofficial
Caption: Going to have a good Christmas in maimi!with boys!@zurabtm @designoabe @andreburakovsky and my brother!have a good time!!!see u soon!
Lewis Hamilton, Formula One
64 of 71Instagram ID: lewishamilton
Caption: Roscoe, Coco & I wish you a Merry Christmas everyone!! have a great day. #MerryChristmas#blessings #TeamLH #godisthegreatest
Steve Weatherford, New York Giants
65 of 71Instagram ID: weatherford5
Caption: Tis the season for giving. The #NFL surprised me with a 'random' drug test on Christmas Eve. Woohoo! ImAllNatchooRal #SwollPatrol
Sydney Leroux, U.S. Women’s Soccer
66 of 71Instagram ID: sydneyleroux
Caption: Bad Santa. #santasterriblehelper
Charlie Villanueva, Dallas Mavericks
67 of 71Instagram ID: cvbelieve
Caption: Wow.........I still fall for you everyday. Happy holiday from me and my beautiful #WCW @michellegame
Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
68 of 71Instagram ID: lindahollidayofficial
Caption: Merry Christmas to all! Wishing you & your families a season full of love & laughter all year long!
Devon Still, Cincinnati Bengals
70 of 71Instagram ID: man_of_still75
Caption: Today on @ESPNNFL Sun Countdown (airing sometime between 12-1235) @michellebeisner gives an update on these two - @Dev_Still71 & Leah Still. And shows Leah's Christmas wish come true! #LeahStrong #PrayForLeahLINK IN BIO
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
71 of 71Instagram ID: vanessabryant
Caption: Merry Christmas!
Love, Kobe, Vanessa, Natalia and Gianna
#Christmas #2014 #TheBryantFamily
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
