6-Time Pro Bowler Surprises Those Who Need It Most with the Ultimate Christmas Gift
Geno Atkins of the Cincinnati Bengals hasn’t seen his team’s season go as planned, but that hasn’t stopped him from celebrating the holiday season.
The six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle and his wife, Kristen, have partnered with Chassis, a men’s skincare brand, to help families in need in the Cincinnati area.
The Atkinses are participating in what they call the Week of Giving, which started Monday with the couple calling several individuals and families and sending them gift cards.
It was amazing to kick off #AtkinsWeekOfGiving by calling some of these deserving people and families directly. Happy holidays to our Day 1 recipients! More to come tomorrow. @ChassisForMen pic.twitter.com/zboXON1RIP
— Geno Atkins (@GenoSacks) December 10, 2018
On Tuesday, the Atkinses helped with the adoption funds for one family. He also gave a helping hand to a single mother at Christmastime.
Day 2 in the books. More deserving families and incredible stories. It has been inspiring to hear how people push through and rely on their faith through hard times. @ChassisForMen #AtkinsWeekOfGiving https://t.co/GcncJqQOrKhttps://t.co/eqeXbxUm77 pic.twitter.com/oAERfOcj6S
— Geno Atkins (@GenoSacks) December 12, 2018
The Atkins will continue their charitable acts throughout the week.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided additional context as to what else the couple is doing.
Bengals’ Pro Bowl DT @GenoSacks and his wife Kristen surprised 50-plus Cincinnati families this holiday season by paying house and medical bills, to adoption funds, tuition assistance, a shopping spree and QT with patients at @CincyChildrens. https://t.co/VGcp9U2s93
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 12, 2018
Atkins’ acts have not gone unnoticed as numerous fans took to social media to commend Geno and Kristen for being great examples for others.
As an adoptive father x2 I want to thank you for adding this family to your giving. Great work spreading joy this season sir!
— Ryan Conlon (@Dusty502) December 12, 2018
You are a class act sir. I have now become a Bengals fan, with all the negativity you see with athletes these days . You are breath of fresh air. Continue the good work.. ??????????
— Eric Easton (@EricEaston16) December 12, 2018
Atkins has always been one of the Bengals’ best players, but now people are seeing how great he is off the field as well.
The nine-year veteran has seven sacks this season, which ranks second on the team behind Carlos Dunlap’s eight sacks.
Dunlap and Atkins also rank first and second, respectively, in career sacks for the Cincinnati franchise. Dunlap leads the way with 72.5 sacks, while Atkins is right behind him with 68.
Since entering the league in 2010, Atkins leads all defensive tackles in sacks over that span and has been named first-team All-Pro twice.
He currently ranks third in the NFL in sacks by defensive tackles and is in line for his seventh Pro Bowl selection. Only Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams has more Pro Bowl votes than Atkins at his position as we approach the final week of fan voting.
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