FB Mike Alstott executes a perfect handoff during a visit to the Joshua House
For the past several years, fullback Mike Alstott has celebrated the holiday season by visiting the kids at the Joshua House, a residential facility for abandoned, abused and neglected children. This year, tight end Dave Moore rejoined the festivities after returning to Tampa from his two-year stint with the Buffalo Bills.
The Buccaneer holiday party at the Joshua House is a tradition that Alstott and Moore began seven years ago. Moore returned to find out that Alstott had carried on the tradition in his absence and was only too happy to reunite with his teammate for some holiday fun.
At the party, Alstott and Moore greeted each of the kids and took a picture with them in front of a huge Christmas tree. All of the children received a Buccaneer team photo signed by both players.
The two Bucs then coached the residents through a couple of the courses involved in the Gatorade Junior Training Camp. The kids took turns catching passes from Alstott and Moore in the receiver relay before taking handoffs from Alstott in the running back drill. Moore, along with a tackling dummy, was positioned at the end of the running back challenge to try and stop each kid from making the touchdown.
"The kids love it," said Alstott of the annual visit. "The interaction we put in with the kids, and just being around the kids is fun. The main thing is putting a smile on their faces, especially during the holiday season."
"It's fun because it's Christmastime," said Moore. "It's good just to be able to sit with the kids and get their minds off of any problems and struggles they're going through in their personal lives. It kind of gives them a little uplift, and it certainly does that for us."
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A Special Guest
The Buccaneers welcomed six-year-old Logan Malagisi and his family to their morning practice on Friday, December 17. Logan, who suffers from rhabdomyosarcoma, attended practice through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Along with his brother Devon, 12, and his parents Stacy and Scott, Logan received a tour of the practice facility at One Buccaneer Place and got to watch the entire practice from the sidelines.
After practice, Head Coach Jon Gruden and many of the Buc players stopped by to meet Logan and sign the Buccaneer football he had with him. Logan's favorite player, Brian Griese, came by to say hello and to present Logan with tickets to Sunday's game against the Saints.
Logan promised to wear the #1 Fan jersey given to him by the Buccaneers to the game this Sunday. The smiles on the faces of both Logan and the Buccaneers who visited with him will not soon be forgotten.
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Helping Metropolitan Ministries
Several Buccaneers spent their Friday afternoon on December 17 encouraging people to drop off toy donations at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent. The Buccaneers, along with members of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, signed autographs in exchange for a donation of a new, unwrapped toy. Bucs players who participated in the toy drive included WR Michael Clayton, T Derrick Deese, RB Earnest Graham, S John Howell, LB Ryan Nece, RB Michael Pittman, QB Chris Simms and DE Dewayne White.
"I was happy to come here today to give my autograph to people who were willing to donate toys for needy families," said White.
Tracy Clouser, Senior Director of Development for Metropolitan Ministries, was very appreciative of the support provided by Tampa Bay's teams.
"We are very excited to see some of Tampa Bay's professional sports teams come together to help the community and people in need," said Clouser.
