We typically know football players only as athletes. Big, tall, strong men who we cheer on every Sunday and/or Monday night in the hopes of victory and team pride. But in a way, many of the fans get lost in the game. The sport of football is based so much on the entertainment factor now, that we typically forget that these are men, in every sense of the word. Despite all of the media attention through radio, television and newspapers, these are just men trying to make a living and who happen to have the support of thousands of people. At times, they might not show or say it, but they all appreciate the support that they get from their fan base.

“The fans do their part on game day, which is cheering for us,” said Prince Amukamara, cornerback for the New York Giants. “So this is one of the ways we can give back.”

Without fan support, there would be no league; if there is no league, all of these men would be out of a job. Arguably the greatest action that an athlete could demonstrate is giving back to the community that supports him or her. Nobody knows this better than New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck.

“We have been put on this pedestal because we are the Giants,” said Tuck, who is playing in his seventh NFL season. “Being this successful, it is very important for us to give back. This is just one of the ways we try to do our part in it.”

Tuck and three other Giants players (Michael Boley, Prince Amukamara and Dave Tollefson) teamed up with Westfield Garden State Plaza and WBLS and WLIB radio stations to host their fifth Annual Toy and Book Drive this past holiday season benefiting The Boys & Girls Clubs in Garfield, Lodi and Hackensack and Tuck’s charity (Tuck’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy).

The Boys and Girls Clubs in Garfield have been extremely grateful to Tuck and his teammates as they have tried so hard for the last five years to have these toy drives for the underprivileged children in the community. John Riley, who is the president of the board of trustees for the Boys and Girls Club of Garfield, has worked closely with Tuck during the holiday seasons.

“I have partnered with Justin Tuck for the last three years for this toy drive,” said Riley. “It is a great event and they raise a lot of toys. We have some parties around Christmas time and the kids love it and have a great time.”

Fans also showed their appreciation by showing up to the event and donating toys. Valerie and Jake Showder of New Jersey donated a stuff dog, a doll, two bows and got to meet their idols in the process.

“The kids look up to them,” said Valerie. “They are their heroes. It took Jake’s breath away.”

Some of Tuck’s teammates, like Prince Amukamara, have taken notice of their teammate’s generosity.

“I’m just taking it slow, sitting back and watching how the vets do it like Tuck,” said Amukamara, who played college ball at Nebraska. “He is one of the most caring and lovable guys who just enjoys giving back. Just sitting back and watching him, I’ve learned a lot.

I think it is fair to say that we all know where Justin Tuck and his teammates are going to be next holiday season.

To see pictures from the event, click here.

Former NFL running back Warrick Dunn is certainly known for his success on the football field, but his true passion wasn't just about football. The 3-time Pro Bowler rushed for 10,967 yards for the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers over a 12-year career in the Nation Football League. Today, Dunn has continued to earn an outstanding reputation for his off the field contributions through his non-profit organizations The Warrick Dunn Family Foundation and Homes For The Holidays Program.

Despite his playing last season with the Washington Redskins, Haynesworth's name in the NFL was created in Tennessee with the Titans. This is also the same great state in which he played his college football. When asked about being picked to play for the Titans in the 2002 draft, Haynesworth seemed agitated that he didn’t get selected sooner, but was grateful to be drafted by the Titans organization.

Regardless of how you see Haynesworth, he is much more than that. He is someone that has a huge part of his heart and soul in charity work and helping other people. He is also someone that has many passions in his life aside from football, which we all know him for. I received a great opportunity to talk with Albert about who he really is and what he strives for in his life. Oh yeah, I also managed to squeeze in a few questions about football.