Ah, Thanksgiving—the American holiday that proves gluttony is part of this country’s DNA. Instead of Machochip Editor Alex Ferreyra rambling on about what he’s grateful for, he thought you’d rather listen to a tale of athletes who, over the years, have been unselfish and given back to their communities without the glare of the media spotlight lighting their way.

As we prepare to give thanks for the crappy jobs we’re still lucky to have, gas going from WTF? to manageable and the fact that Sarah Palin isn’t our Vice President, we should also take the time to be a little introspective. What have we done to make our world a better place, other than push our differences aside for once to elect Hopey McHoperson President? Athletes on the other hand are usually very blessed with not only ability, but big paychecks, so they can do more. Some choose to spend it on blow and sex, other choose to save a little from their coke and sex fund to help out their old neighborhood.

But then there are those select athletes who’ve shown a dedication to the less fortunate or demonstrated kindness without caring (that much) about the PR. I think it’d be wrong not to highlight these model athletes, both past and present, who’ve used their successes to make a difference in their world, not just to get hummers. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we didn’t rank these players as it would be wrong to put a ranking on kindness… except for Roberto Clemente. He did die on his way to help people, so that should put him on top.

Roberto Clemente
The Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente is the man when it comes to altruistic athletes. To call him just a ballplayer is an insult to the man who would die on his way delivering humanitarian aid to Managua, Nicaragua in 1972. Clemente, the youngest of seven children, knew what kind of situation many of the people in Latin America faced. So during the offseason, you would find him heading down to places like his birth country Puerto Rico carrying aid and baseball equipment for the people. He wasn’t going to be on the plane heading to Managua that crashed and killed him, but when he found out the three transports that had gone before had been hijacked by the government, he had to go.

Manny Pacquiao
While Manny Pacquiao has done the whole Thanksgiving turkey distribution thing, that’s not where his help ends. A King in his native Philippines, he tries not only to bring up the country he left behind but to help the fighters that came before him. His Foundation gives Filipino boxers pensions, as well as scholarships for their children. And another 200 students are able to go to school thanks to scholarships given to them from the Pacman’s fund. Plus, he’s got a killer voice and married a woman named Jinkee. The man is truly awesome.

Tony Romo
This got a lot of play last week, and it’s small as well as most likely a media plant, but Tony Romo showed why everyone jokes about him leading the league in smiles. Last week, when Romo was headed in to see Role Models, he found a homeless man named Doc changing his loose change at the theater. Romo asked Doc if he wanted to go see the movie with him, and after he got the day off from his job handing out flyers, agreed. “For me, it was a blessing,” Doc said. “It came at just the right time. It gave me some encouragement and faith in mankind. I just wanted to say thank you.” Add to that the story of Romo changing the flat tire of a couple stuck in a rainstorm the night after a loss two months ago, and you really appreciate the Tony Romos in the world… or at least hope he can do better than Jessica Simpson.

Dikembe Mutombo
It’s easy to start a foundation and slap your name on it, but not for NBA star Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo. It took a lot of hard work on his part to make improving the living conditions and well being of the Congolese population a major focus in a lot of people’s lives. And that work paid off, as the DMF has garnered the support of four U.S. Presidents and Bono. The crown jewel of his hard work was the groundbreaking of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center, a 10-acre, 300–bed facility dedicated to the memory of his mother. When it’s completed, it’ll be the primary research hospital in the area and is set to train the doctors in the region to help fight the diseases that run rampant in the Congo. It’s a lot better for humanity than bringing a championship to the 76ers, but we know many Philadelphians who would disagree with that.

Joey Cheek
While Michael Phelps used his eight gold medals to hock everything, make cameos on Entourage and try to pick up every half-way decent looking girl in America, three-time inline ice skating Olympic medalist Joey Cheek was helping kids in Darfur dodge land mines. Cheek has started Team Darfur, “an international coalition of athletes committed to raising awareness about and bringing an end to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.” He also donated $40,000 worth of USOC checks to Right To Play, an organization started by former Norwegian Olympic champion Johann Olav Koss. Right to Play helps children in places like the Middle East and Africa build relationships with their neighbors.


Warrick Dunn
When Tampa Bay Bucs running back Warrick Dunn was 18, he became the head of his household when a group of robbers killed his mother Betty Smothers, an off-duty police officer escorting a businesswoman to a bank. Since then, he understood firsthand the difficulties of raising a family. I guess after facing that kind of adversity, getting bulldozed on the field gets put into perspective. That’s probably why he began the Warrick Dunn Foundation when he became a pro. WDF helps single parent households with down payments for their first homes, and as of December 2007, the program has assisted 81 single parents and 213 dependents reach their goal of home ownership.

It’s not often that we’re given positive images of athletes outside of PR moves like commercials. That’s why we have to give players their due when they help out under the cover of media darkness. These guys did it not for the adoring fans or the hours of community service they needed to fill, but because they knew it was the right thing to do. And with the world seemingly on the brink of madness, it’s always good to know there are role models—whether they like to be or not—out there leading the way. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!