[VIDEO] A welcomed gift arrived this week for some families who were staying on the Missouri Southern campus following the devastating tornado. The present wasn’t delivered by Pony Express (Missouri was the starting point for the early courier service) but rather by airplane and the cargo surely wouldn’t have fit on horseback.
The large package was unwrapped and didn’t come with instructions (lockout prevented elves from wrapping presents). Thankfully, neither was actually needed.
Everyone was all smiles and had plenty of fun when Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, offensive tackle Adam Goldberg, linebacker James Laurinatis, defensive end James Hall and center Jason Brown plus former Ram and New Orleans Saints tight end Ernie Conwell and DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, arrived on campus to spend some time with them.
Then players and children crossed the street to Fred G. Hughes Stadium where they threw footballs around and posed for pictures. Players also signed autographs, gave out trading cards and played and talked with the kids.
“We wanted to do something, being from St. Louis,” Goldberg said. “We were having trouble with logistics, trying to get here. It’s a six-hour drive, and over the Memorial Day Holiday, we were running into scheduling issues. ‘De’ Smith got on board and kind of took the reigns. He said we’re going to get a charter, we’re going to fly you down there, we’re just going to make it happen.”
It was Goldberg’s idea to make the trip and the others guys immediately jumped on board. Too many in fact, because of the logistical challenges transportation was limited to five players.
Goldberg said. “Well, I’m one, and the first four guys I asked said sure, let’s do it, and they were super-excited and enthusiastic about it. I had probably 25 calls and another five guys at our player practice. We’re going to need a 747 next time, but that shows the character of the guys on our team.”
“I grew up in Okalahoma so I know exactly what tornadoes can do and the effect they can have on people’s lives,” Bradford said. “Many people are hurting here right now and we felt is was important to do something.”
“We have an obligation as players to help people out when they are in need,” said Hall.
The players did help by lifting spirits and sharing good memories that will last a lifetime. I don’t think anyone in Joplin wanted the present returned to sender.
