Cleveland Browns defensive end Miles Garrett is no stranger to giving up—just six points to his team last night with his strip-sack, fumble recovery, and touchdown, which also set him the franchise’s single-sack record. But on Monday, Garrett gave back in a different way, taking Northeast Ohio families on a holiday shopping spree.
Garrett met with families at Meijer in Seven Hills on Monday morning, giving them every penny to spend on gifts, clothing, toys, and whatever else they wanted or needed.
12-year-old Kamarian Shepherd was one of the kids Garrett shopped for on Monday. He loaded some new games, toys, and his favorite item—a new iPad mini—into his car. But despite being treated to all the items in the store, Kamarian didn’t feel like getting some Christmas presents just for his brother, who wasn’t there.
“It felt really good. I want my brothers to be happy at Christmas,” Kamarian said. “So I was able to get some to my brother.”
Kamarian’s father, Ambus Shepherd, said that Garrett’s generosity was something that really touched him and his family.
“It’s a once in a lifetime thing and I appreciate it very much,” Ambus said. “It’s amazing, it’s amazing that my kids have been blessed like this. So I talk to my kids to tell them: Be thankful and grateful for the little things and count your blessings every day, That’s what I tell my kids.”
Garrett said it was in his nature to take families shopping on Mondays and have been around since he was a child himself.
“I remember growing up wanting to take care of my family and I didn’t know how much of a city I was going to be a part of a family like they would be to me,” Garrett said. “After that conversation with him, he would remind me face-to-face what my family was like when I was growing up. I wanted to be like that, I just wanted to keep growing and get out there. “
Not only did Garrett shop with families in Meijer, but he also had families and children help him choose toys for children being cared for in university hospitals. Toys will be delivered to the children in the hospital in time for the holidays.
“It’s really special to be able to have the things they want during the holiday season, the things that you want, the things that you want to be beautiful around the people around you and I want them I wanted to give the opportunity.”
Garrett has had an explosive season and while he may have goals on the field to make the playoffs, become the NFL’s sacked leader and win Defensive Player of the Year, he had just one goal on Monday.
“Just try to be a blessing this holiday season. I think we all do the same thing for our neighbors in our community,” Garrett said. “I’m trying to give back to how I can be and be the person I’ve been taught and trusted by my family.”
Cameron Justice News 5 is a Digital Content Producer based in Cleveland. follow him on twitter @camijustice.
related: Miles Garrett, Denzel Ward and Jedvian Clooney saved the Browns when they needed it most
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