The Sports World Loving Christmas 2016

Christmas spirit sweeps the sports world this week.

Like the rest of us, professional athletes take the time to celebrate Christmas, even around busy schedules. Hot chocolate, stockings, Santa costumes, jaw-dropping trees and the usual holiday festivities apply.

As always, the world of social media provides a glass window right into the lives of our favorite players, coaches and organizations. Sometimes social media can turn a mundane affair—like what Nick Young wore out to a club or Tom Brady scored at golf—into an epic holiday inspiration this time of year.

So while baking, unwrapping gifts or just kicking it with family, be sure to put a face up to the glass, wipe it clear and take a peak at how the sports world celebrates Christmas in 2016.

Paul Pierce, Los Angeles Clippers

Instagram name: paulpierce

Caption: Santa ready to c who's been naughty and who's been nice #merrychristmaseve#happyholidays#

Shaquille O'Neal

Instagram name: shaq

Caption: OBC WISHES YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND OBC STANDS FOR ONEAL BOYZ CHOIR

Becky Lynch, WWE

Instagram name: beckylynchwwe 

Caption: Merry #BeXmas everyone! 

Ian Poulter, PGA

Instagram name: ianjamespoulter

Caption: Merry Christmas folks... Santa is in the building... @yellowstoneclub 🎅🏻⛷

Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks

Instagram name: bambamkam

Caption: Our Yearly Christmas Tree Photo

Mike Tyson

Instagram name: miketyson

Caption: Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones

J. R. Smith, Cleveland Cavaliers

Instagram name: teamswish

Caption: #merryswishmas💚🎅🎄

DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins

Instagram name: 0ne0fone

Caption: Thankful and always blessed before you receive Always Give Merry Christmas !! Love & Joy

DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers

Instagram name: deandrejordan6

Caption: Cajun Christmas Cookies by @eande618!

Caroline Wozniacki, WTA

Instagram name: carowozniacki

Caption: Merry Christmas and happy holidays from my family to yours! 🎄😍😊🎁

Goran Dragic, Miami Heat

Instagram name: the_1_dragon

Caption: May your Christmas be decorated with cheer and filled with love. 

Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics

Instagram name: isaiahthomas

Caption: Merry Christmas!

Dwayne Johnson

Instagram name: therock

Caption: Christmas Eve and we're goofin' around here at the #IronParadise gettin' ready for our big trip around the world. #DwantaClaus🎅🏾 #AndAllHisReindeer #RudolphMomoAndJulie #DwantasEndorphinsKickingIn #TequilaAndCookies

Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers

Instagram name: meyersleonard11

Caption: Happy Holidays to everyone!

Mario Chalmers, NBA

Instagram name: mchalmers6

Caption: Merry xmas from my family to yours.......love

Chris Bosh, Miami Heat

Instagram name: chrisbosh

Caption: First time playing in the snow with my kids! ☃️#BoshFamily

Julian Edelman, New England Patriots

Instagram name: edelman11

Caption: thankful for so much this year #merrychrismukah 🎄🕎

Rachel Nichols, Reporter

Instagram name: rachel_nichols

Caption: 🤔

Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants

Instagram name: obj

Caption: Merrry Christmas !!! And happy holidays !

Antonio Cromartie, NFL

Instagram name: antoniocromartie31

Caption: Merry Christmas from @jurzieblu and Savage. Also I want to give @bossykennels a huge shout out for my Christmas gift. We are really enjoying Savage he's so lovable and he's great with the kids. Thanks again And Merry Christmas everyone

Chris Harris Jr., Denver Broncos

Instagram name: chrisharrisjr

Caption: Christmas Eve with my girls @mrsleahharris @fabulously.aria

Chad Johnson

Instagram name: ochocinco

Caption: Pepe & Ooooooweeeeeee

George Hill, Utah Jazz

Instagram name: indianageorge3

Caption: Daddy's Lil Elf Helping Deliver The Presents For Santa!!!! @samgarcia_3 #ZaydensFirstChristmas #Elf #ChristmasEve #DaddysLittleHelper #SantasLittleHelper

Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Instagram name: kyrieirving

Caption: I don't know about you guys, but I can't wait for Christmas Day! Keep an eye out for your surprise at tip-off.

John Wall, Washington Wizards

Instagram name: johnwall

Caption: Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season filled with peace & cheer in the New Year!

Michelle Wie, LPGA

Instagram name: themichellewie

Caption: Merry Christmas ya filthy animals! - Mac Wiezy Santa 🎄🎄🎄

David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals

Instagram name: davidjohnson31

Caption: Merry Christmas from the Johnson family! @meghantjohnson

Johnny Stephene (w/ Chris Paul)

Instagram name: dribble2much

Caption: Happy Holidays!

James Rodriguez, Real Madrid

Instagram name: jamesrodriguez10

Caption: Feliz navidad. Merry Christmas. 🎄

Victor Cruz, New York Giants

Instagram name: teamvic

Caption: Merry Christmas everyone!

Santana Moss, NFL

Instagram name: eighttodanine

Caption: #saige first Christmas and she like ....😳 what's going on y'all ...

Vernon Davis, Washington Redskins

Instagram name: vernondavis85

Caption: Today is going to be a long day. #mereychristmas

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Instagram name: stephencurry30

Caption: Merry Christmas y'all. Enjoy your family time and Don't forget the reason for the season! 🙏🏽

Tiger Woods, PGA

Instagram name: tigerwoods

Caption: Xmas tradition that my kids love. Mac Daddy Santa is back! -TW

Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles

Instagram name: zachertz

Caption: MERRY CHRISTMAS from our family to yours!!

Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors

Instagram name: 3tross1

Caption: Santas lil helper #daddylovesyou #happyholidays

Aaron Williams, Buffalo Bills

Instagram name: ajwilliams23

Caption: Merry Christmas to y'all, from the Williams Family 🎄🎁🎅🏾🤶🏾

Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat

Instagram name: hassanwhiteside

Caption: Merry Christmas to everyone keep your circle small and watch out for the snakes 🐍👀 #theyeverywhere #fakepoeple #merrychristmas #snakecheck

Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants

Instagram name: iamjasonpierrepaul

Caption: Josiah Christmas ready. ✌🏾️Peace in Love. I love you so much son.

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Instagram name: boogiecousins

Caption: #Mood

Dwight Howard, Atlanta Hawks

Instagram name: dwighthoward

Caption: Happy Holidays to All !! #BeGr8 this Holiday

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Instagram name: kingjames

Caption: Always wanted a tree like this when I was a kid, flooded with gifts. Kids still up so Santa hasn't got here just yet. Coming soon! Lol. Merry Xmas to everyone in the world!! Blessings on blessings on blessings

Miesha Tate, MMA

Instagram name: mieshatate

Caption: It's good to be home for Christmas!! #MerryChristmas #HappyHolidays

Dolph Ziggler, WWE

Instagram name: heelziggler

Caption: rare picture of st. nick hitting some #EmptyStockingCardio before #christmas
(circa 1852) @clevelandbrowns

Allyson Felix, Olympic Track and Field

Instagram name: af85

Caption: Wishing my bestest @alishamae84 the happiest of birthdays!🎉🎉Ride or die since the 6th grade!

Greg Jennings, NFL

Instagram name: theofficialgj

Caption: Mood:

Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles

Instagram name: simplyaj10

Caption: Merry Christmas from the Jones'. Yes it is 72 and sunny out.

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Instagram name: kbstafford89

Caption: What a night it was last night. The third family this holiday season to receive a little extra cheer from not only us, but also @dorlovsky @torlovsky3 @sammartin_6 @megrem @kati_rene.
These kids and their parents were amazing and so grateful.. but as always they gave us far more than we gave them.. reminded us what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas Eve everyone, I hope y'all have an amazing holiday!!

Ian Poulter, PGA

Instagram name: ianjamespoulter

Caption: Merry Christmas to you all. Have a wonderful Christmas from the Poulter family. 🎅🏻🎉❄️🎄

Matt Barnes, Sacramento Kings

Instagram name: matt_barnes9

Caption: My Elves ona Shelf!
Happy Holidays

Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks

Instagram name: candaceparker

Caption: Merry 🎄Christmas 🎁

Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts

Instagram name: vontaedavis

Caption: 🎼 Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la! 🎼

Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers

Instagram name: yasielpuig

Caption: Happy merry Christmas to everybody from #puigyourfriend the black Santa Clause 🎅🏿🎄🎁

Darnell Dockett, NFL

Instagram name: dockett90

Caption: Merry Chrima from Riley.....😘

Robert Griffin III, Cleveland Browns

Instagram name: rgiii

Caption: Merry Christmas from us to you! #MinuHingesugulane #LoveOfMyLife #BestChristmasEver #ItsLit

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Instagram name: dangerusswilson

Caption: Christmas with the Tsai Family! Grateful for great family friends! Thanks Joe & Clara for bringing the family! #FaceOffThisOffseason

Earl Thomas III, Seattle Seahawks

Instagram name: earl

Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers

Instagram name: steelerrb26

Caption: Ravens gotta see the Grinch today for Christmas...Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄

Jason McCourty, Tennessee Titans

Instagram name: mccourtytwins

Caption: Merry Christmas!
(J-Mac)

Beno Udrih, Detroit Pistons

Instagram name: benoudrih19

Caption: Happy Holidays to everyone! Blessings to you and your families. Be grateful for the moments you get with people you love.🎄

Nick Young, Los Angeles Lakers

Instagram name: swaggyp1

Caption: merry Christmas world from the Young's

Tim Hardaway Jr., Atlanta Hawks

Instagram name: timmyjr10

Caption: Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas 🎁🎄 to everyone out there!! Be Thankful and Grateful for the life you live. 🙏🏾 #truetoatlanta #blessed #happyholidays

DeMarcus Ware, Denver Broncos

Instagram name: demarcusware

Caption: Remember the reason for the season. Sometimes u have to look up and know there is someone bigger and more perfect than u that guides u along the way. 📸: @ericamelissa_

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Instagram name: cp3

Caption: Merry Christmas from my FAMILY to yours!!! 🎄