DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys served an early Thanksgiving dinner to Salvation Army clients at the Carr P. Collins Social Service Center Monday.
After defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-20 on Sunday Night Football, the Cowboys arrived back in Dallas-Fort Worth at 4:00 a.m. For some of the players, such as quarterback Dak Prescott, they were operating on two hours of sleep or less as they donned red aprons to help take part in an annual Cowboys tradition with the Salvation Army.
For center Travis Frederick, who has spent the entire 2018 campaign injured, even though he was also in the little-sleep category, wouldn't miss helping the Salvation Army for anything.
"For me, reaching out and serving the community is an important part of what we do," said Frederick. "When you have a platform that we do and so many people are watching what you're doing, I think it's important to be a good example and show that community is important."
The Cowboys' involvement with the Salvation Army has persisted for decades, and the association makes an indelible impression on every player who has played a season for the club. In the case of former linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who played with Dallas from 2005-13 and is the team's all-time sack leader with 117.0 career sacks, teaming up with the Cowboys once more to help the Salvation Army is something that has been on his heart since he retired from the NFL in 2017.
"It's a great opportunity, and now that I'm retired, the person hasn't changed," said Ware. "I still want to get out and be a part of this organization. I called them up and see when they have a lot of their charitable events and things that they are doing, and get out there and just do what I like to do best, and that's serve."
"That's what's so special about this team is that this many guys showed up after not getting any sleep and came out to serve the community," said Frederick.
It was also the team's most recognizable faces that showed up for the event, including running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was a huge sensation after rushing for 151 yards and scoring two touchdowns, one rushing and another receiving. Mostly, Elliott received positive remarks for his leap over an Eagles defender Sunday night.
For center Joe Looney, who has been with the club since 2016, taking part in the early Thanksgiving dinner and serving Salvation Army clients always warms his heart, regardless if the team is coming off a loss, like last year when Atlanta beat them 27-7 and gave up eight sacks, or this year after a momentous divisional win.
"It's an honor to be a part of this," said Looney. "Just to come out here and serve these guys, these veterans out here. It's humbling. Sometimes as football players we live in this bubble because we're so busy and what not, practicing and playing games. It's good to come out here and give to the community."
The Cowboys helped the Salvation Army hand out glasses to military veterans after the dinner.
Dallas spent much of their time after the event endeavoring to sign as many autographs as they could and put smiles on as many faces as possible.
"No matter what would have happened last night, to come out here and see these guys' faces just light up when we walk into the room," Looney said. "It's truly amazing that we can have that effect on somebody."
Will the Cowboys be serving up something special to the Falcons on Sunday? Share your favorite Thanksgiving related pun about how you think things will play out with Mark on Twitter @therealmarklane.