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SAN JOSE — The 49ers paused Monday from their preparation for Saturday’s showdown with the Rams to spread holiday cheer to the East Bay.
About 25 Oakland kids sponsored by the Fam 1st Family Foundation loaded up on a bus for a trip to Shoe Palace in San Jose. They were greeted by a group of 49ers defensive linemen and treated to a store to themselves with stockings on the wall containing $250 VISA gift cards.
The partnership is part of the club’s renewed outreach to the East Bay, one that will continue with the expansion of its PREP youth football program, which is free for all kids, to Oakland this spring.
Led by Sheldon Day, Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner, the group has organized shopping events for the past three years. This year, they partnered with the charity founded by Marshawn Lynch, Marcus Peters and Josh Johnson, all Oakland natives.
For just under two hours Monday afternoon, kids goofed around with professional football players. They tried on shoes, jackets and more (and, yes, fanny packs are making a comeback).
“This is the best day of my life,” one child said, to no one in particular.
During the event, we caught up with a few players and got in the holiday spirit.
What’s the favorite gift you received as a kid?
Arik Armstead: Probably a bike. Then I remember my mom got us Madden 2004 with Michael Vick on the cover, but she got it like a month early and she wanted to save it for Christmas, so we couldn’t play it. But we found it hidden in the closet. I don’t know if she knows this, but we played it for like a month before Christmas. Then we acted excited on Christmas Day, even though we’d been playing it for a month.
Sheldon Day: Oh, it was a remote control Hummer. I asked for it for my 13th birthday, but my mom couldn’t afford it until I was 15. I still got it, but ultimately it was one of those things — gratification that she worked two years just to get me the toy that I wanted.
Kentavious Street: Nintendo GameCube. I think I was in like third or second grade and got a GameCube and I was like, ‘I’m set.’ … Mario Kart Double Dash and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, I think those were my top two games.
How about gift you’ve given?
Armstead: Our family isn’t really big on gift-giving, just spending time with each other. That’s the best part for me.
Street: My sister’s currently in college right now, so anything to really ease the process of college because it’s so hard nowadays. I got a [redacted] for her this year. Hopefully you don’t have this interview out before Christmas.
Favorite holiday traditions?
Street: Every Christmas, my mom and my dad would video tape our Christmas, so just remembering those memories and my reaction to opening gifts. I was the type of kid who couldn’t sleep at all, so I had to stay up til 3, 4 in the morning just to sleep. … My grandmother every Christmas Eve — I haven’t had them for like the past 3, 4 years — she rotiserizes this chicken, she makes these chicken sandwiches. Like, man. Man. Amazing.
Day: We always cook a big meal. That was our kind of Christmas tradition, just being around each and having fun. … It’s another Thanksgiving. It’s like, when Thanksgiving comes, you’re like, ‘Ohh, it’s all right.’ But when Christmas comes, it’s even better.
DeForest Buckner: Obviously Christmas morning. Me, my brother, my sister being able to open presents, that was one of my favorite memories. Also, my entire family going to my Grandma’s house to celebrate Christmas. Everybody got together and had a big party.
How have the holidays changed for you since entering the NFL?
Armstead: Not much, really. It’s all about family, spending time with family. Being fortunate enough to have events like this and give back to my community has ramped up a lot more with resources and platform. It’s simple: spread joy, spread happiness, spend time with your family, eat good food, enjoy each other.
Street: I’m just able to give so much more, and more whole-heartedly. I’m able to do a lot more for the community also, just be a positive role model and all that stuff instead of being limited to my family. My little sister, she’s in seventh grade now, her wish list gets bigger and bigger each year.
Buckner: Just the ability to give back. That’s the big difference for me. Since I’ve been a pro around the holiday season, being able to give back to people who need it more than I do.
