JACKSONVILLE – With the Thanksgiving holiday around the corner, a few Jacksonville Jaguars were out in the community Tuesday evening to spread holiday fellowship – and pulled pork.
Defensive end Tyson Alualu, running back Justin Forsett, fullback Will Ta'ufo'ou and defensive end Ryan Davis served a full barbecue dinner from Sonny's to families at Community Connections in downtown Jacksonville.
The event was previously headlined by former Jaguars defensive tackle Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton, who now plays for the Denver Broncos.
Knighton's mother, Rochelle, insisted that the event continue, and called upon some of Knighton's former teammates.
"I actually got in touch with Tyson (Alualu) and said that I just wanted to keep it going," Knighton said. "Terrance was like, 'Mom, I can't be there, but I want you to (keep it going).' I told Terrance, 'When you play Tyson, put it in his ear.'"
This is the fourth consecutive year that the Jaguars have served a Thanksgiving-time meal at Community Connections, an organization that provides support services and transitional housing to working homeless and low-income women, children and families in Northeast Florida. While with Community Connections, residents work with staff to help improve financial and emotional self-sufficiency.
"It was an event that 'Pot Roast' and his family did every year, and I was just blessed to be a part of it," Alualu said. "Anytime you can give back to the community and make some people smile, it always makes me feel good."
Justin Forsett is in his first season with the Jaguars and said that it was an easy decision to be a part of the event.
"We're definitely honored to do what we do, but I believe that we're here for a reason, to give back and to serve," Forsett said. "I think real leaders serve first."
Knighton said that she is still adjusting to not having her son on the Jaguars roster this season.
"It's OK – I still have Tyson and those guys to hang out with and keep me in check," she said.
For more information on Community Connections, visit www.communityconnectionsjax.org.
