Tampa Bay Offensive Linemen Buy Gifts for 70 Children at Annual Holiday Event

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive linemen spent their own cash on presents for 70 kids at a local Target on Dec. 15. The annual "O-Line Lights Up Christmas" event brought smiles to children chosen by the Heart Gallery of Tampa.

The Glazer family matched what the players spent.

"It's the season of giving," left tackle Tristan Wirfs said, according to FOX 13.

Wirfs connected this to memories from when he was young. "Growing up struggling, my mom always tried to make Christmas special, so being able to do that in the slightest way to give them something to look forward to and have fun is incredible," said Wirfs.

Right tackle Luke Goedeke confessed he hadn't finished his own shopping yet. "I'm far behind on my Christmas shopping," Goedeke said, according to FOX 13. "It's actually kind of stressing me out. Gotta make some swift maneuvers."

That stress vanished once they started shopping with the kids. "We're all blessed enough to be fortunate enough to help these kids out and give them some sort of gifts and just make their Christmas," said Goedeke.

Offensive tackle Charlie Heck described it as one of the best parts of their season. "This is awesome," Heck said. "This is what we really look forward to as an O-line. It's our favorite time of the year: Christmas. Being out there with the kids and helping them shop, seeing their excitement walking down the aisles, this is an awesome time of the year."

The players said this pushes them harder on Sundays. "We do a lot of stuff for kids in general but to do stuff for them when they are here for us on Sundays week in and week out," said Wirfs to FOX 13. "Their parents are supporting us. The kids are supporting us. To be able to give back in any way we can means the world to us and so does their support."

They'll keep doing this next year. "It's a great event," said Tristan Wirfs. "I know everyone loves it."