The University of New Mexico football team embraced the giving spirit on Sunday and gave back to families in need. Players hosted a turkey drive for local families, and they used their personal NIL funds to purchase turkeys and classic Thanksgiving sides like potatoes, corn and other vegetables.
According to Go Lobos News, “The drive, coordinated by one of UNM’s captains, Richard Pearce, took place on Sunday starting at 10 am in front of press tower in the Stadium West parking lot.”
Lobos offensive lineman Elvin Harris said, “We feel like the little that we have we could just do something for the community and just give back it’s always a great thing to do.”
The players posted to social media to advertise the turkey drive and offered Lobos fans a chance to donate to increase their original goal of 100 families all the way to 300. They were overwhelmed by the fan response, later posting photos of the offensive lineman shopping for the food.
Said Pearce, “The guys on the offensive line just wanted a way to give back to our community this year, and we thought going out and using our NIL money to get turkeys and some fixings to give to families that need it would be a great way to thank the community that has been so great to our team.”
On Sunday morning, the Lobos were ready to greet and treat families. By the end of the day, they had given out 278 total turkeys to local families.
“Man, it’s been great. People have been very thankful to us because, like, I guess people really needed it. We’re just glad to help people and just give them something because you don’t know what people go through, so we’re just here to give them something to eat,” said Harris.
