The Sports World Loving Thanksgiving 2016
Thanksgiving has arrived, kicking off the long march to Christmas, the path paved with turkey, gravy, stuffing and anything else chefs dream up for the big day.
Like the rest of us, professional athletes take time out to enjoy the universally beloved holiday, albeit occasionally on a more grandiose scale.
Whether it is giving back to the community, putting on a feast that would make Gordon Ramsay blush or hitting a parade, superstar athletes from around the globe have come out in full force to celebrate.
Luckily for everyone, the world of social media documents it all. Here is our yearly look at the sports world's love affair with Thanksgiving.
Detroit Lions
1 of 37Instagram name: detroitlionsnfl
Caption: 'Tis the season of sharing! We're starting off #Thanksgiving week right by serving dinner to local foster families! #OnePride
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
2 of 37Instagram name: cameron1newton
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Tennessee Titans
3 of 37Instagram name: titans
Caption: Ever seen a raccoon fry a turkey? 🦃 Good times helping out the Nashville Rescue Mission at the 11th annual @therealtracylawrence #TurkeyFry2016!
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Baltimore Ravens
4 of 37Instagram name: ravens
Caption: Current and former Ravens served a hot meal to Baltimore men at tonight's annual @helpingup Mission Thanksgiving dinner. #RavensFlock #OurTeamOurCommunity
Kay Felder, Cleveland Cavaliers
5 of 37Instagram name: 2kayzero
Caption: Serving pies! Anybody need one ☝️🤘🏾
Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City Thunder
6 of 37Instagram name: eneskanter11
Caption: @sunbeamokc with great people for a good cause! #service #nba #EKLF
Buffalo Bills
7 of 37Instagram name: buffalobills
Caption: Tyrod Taylor, EJ Manuel, Cardale Jones and Marquise Goodwin surprised a group of women and children at the Hope Center with an early Thanksgiving meal tonight! #OneBuffalo
New York Jets
8 of 37Instagram name: nyjets
Caption: Unloaded 100 turkeys ✔️
Diced, sliced and chopped a #Thanksgiving meal ✔️
Served dinner to 400+ guests at @FoodBank4NYC ✔️
It's always great when we can #giveback to the community.
San Francisco 49ers
9 of 37Instagram name: 49ers
Caption: Getting into the holiday spirit.
#49ers players and staff had a chance to serve a #Thanksgiving meal to our friends at the @homefirstscc homeless shelter. #49ersGiveBack 🦃
Orlando Magic
10 of 37Instagram name: orlandomagic
Caption: Spending this morning serving breakfast at the Coalition for the Homeless.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 💙
DeMarcus Ware, Denver Broncos
11 of 37Instagram name: demarcusware
Caption: G I V E T H A N K S #HappyThanksgiving 🍁🍽🦃
Iman Shumpert, Cleveland Cavaliers
12 of 37Instagram name: imanshumpert
Caption: Great win headed into the holiday! So excited our daughter gets to enjoy her first Thanksgiving meal!!! Everyone eat good and be safe! #theyearofthefamily
DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins
13 of 37Instagram name: 0ne0fone
Caption: Honored to be in a position to bless others during thanksgiving @kingcheftd I appreciate your blessing to cook up the food & give it away ' continue to count blessings happy holidays #DMV #feedthehungry @bigbaker92
Laurie Hernandez, USA Gymnastics
14 of 37Instagram name: lauriehernandez_
Caption: I had SUCH an exciting time at the Macy's Day parade❤️ happy Thanksgiving everyone. Don't forget to cherish those moments with your family and friends today✨
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots
15 of 37Instagram name: edelman11
Caption: #happyturkeydayeveryone 🍗🎩
Philadelphia Eagles
16 of 37Instagram name: philadelphiaeagles
Caption: From our #Eagles family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! Send us your "Family on Three" huddle and we'll share our favorites!
Miesha Tate, MMA
17 of 37Instagram name: mieshatate
Caption: The @UFC combined efforts with @eatupaustralia here in #Melbourne and we made 750 sandwiches for underprivileged children today! Feels so great to give back, reminding me always to be thankful! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! #Thanksgiving #EatUpAustralia #UFC #UFCmelbourne
Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimmer
19 of 37Instagram name: m_phelps00
Caption: Happy thanksgiving!!! This year has been the best year of my life!! So many amazing things to be thankful for! #family #turkey
DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
21 of 37Instagram name: boogiecousins
Caption: I got a chance to surprise some families with some holiday joy last night. Thankful to be in this position to give back to these amazing people #loyaltyislove #thankful
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
22 of 37Instagram name: russwest44
Caption: HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS!! BE THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LOVE ONES.
#blessed #thankful
Paula Creamer, LPGA
25 of 37Instagram name: paulacreamer1
Caption: Awesome display of lights here in Las Vegas. Highly recommend the Ethel M botanical cactus garden!!!! #familytime #thanksgiving #hubbywifey
David Lee, San Antonio Spurs
26 of 37Instagram name: dlee042
Caption: Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!
Nate Robinson, Former NBA Player
27 of 37Instagram name: naterobinson
Caption: Pre/post thanksgiving day workout #holdat
Greg Jennings, Retired NFL Receiver
28 of 37Instagram name: theofficialgj
Caption: Happy Thanksgiving from all of us! 🦃
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
29 of 37Instagram name: carmeloanthony
Caption: Thank you to @feedthechildrenorg @avoninsider and @brucebeck4NY for helping us provide 800 families with essentials before Thanksgiving.
Erin Andrews, NFL Sideline Reporter
30 of 37Instagram name: erinandrews
Caption: Very thankful for my football family 🏈🏈🦃🦃 @nflonfox @troyaikman @boejuck
Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots
31 of 37Instagram name: martellusb
Caption: I saaaaiiiiddddddd... Happy Thanksgiving From @theimaginationagency #createdbymarty #theimaginationagency
Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
32 of 37Instagram name: simplyaj10
Caption: Both tables set. Food coming soon. Btw I have 2 seats for my plates #StayHungry
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
33 of 37Instagram name: cp3
Caption: Happy Thanksgiving from our COWBOYS FAMILY!!!!!!
Dwyane Wade, Chicago Bulls
34 of 37Instagram name: dwyanewade
Caption: I'm walking into the kitchen like this today!!! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you worldwide and especially to my friends and family!!!!!#greansbeanspotatoestomatoes photo cred @mistadubb
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
35 of 37Instagram name: kbstafford89
Caption: Happy Thanksgiving from our growing family to yours!! #golions
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
36 of 37Instagram name: kingjames
Caption: Post food drink for me solo!! @mavcarter @stevestoute #OpusOne 2004. I need help
Justin Verlander, Detroit Lions
37 of 37Instagram name: justinverlander
Caption: Just a little #thanksgiving pool. Yes... that's beauty and the beast on in background. Millie, to be niece got the pick of what's on TV. 😂 @mawilli3 @dupton_ @kateupton #milliemovienight #thankful #pool #poolcombo
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
