By Cheryl Denice Howard | Special to The OBSERVER
Gloves are a critical piece of equipment for NFL players, especially for large defensive ends handfighting and headbutting in the trenches against equally mammoth offensive linemen.
On Nov. 23, though, Sacramento native and New Orleans Saints player Carl Granderson exchanged the thick leather gloves he wears for protection on Sundays for thin nitrile handwear to serve free Thanksgiving dinner to disadvantaged people in a South Sacramento community. The dinner, held at Mack Road Valley High Community Center, was part of Granderson’s ongoing efforts of giving back to his hometown.
A 2015 graduate of Grant High School, Granderson, 27, is in the sixth season of a sterling NFL career. He signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2019 after finishing his college career at the University of Wyoming.
Granderson has made multiple trips back to Sacramento. He is heart bent on giving back to the community he reveres as the village that helped raise him.
“I have had a great support system from all over,” Granderson said.
Although the dinner was his food giveaway, Granderson has sponsored many charitable endeavors in communities throughout Sacramento. He said normally he hosts free football camps for boys and girls, players and cheerleaders. The most recent football camp was held at American River College in 2023.
And Granderson gets help from family and friends from near and far.
It was at Wyoming where Granderson met former pro baller and friend Ryan Cummings, who played on the offensive line. Cummings, too, once played for the Saints. He attended this Thanksgiving dinner to give Granderson his full support, donning a pair of plastic gloves himself as he served food. Cummings flew from Colorado to be with Granderson on this special day.
Granderson also recruited a few of his faithful family members and friends to serve approximately 70 homeless individuals and residents.
Alejandra Pacheco, a mother of two, sat down at the holiday table. Pacheco said this was her first time accepting an invitation for a free meal. Pacheco expressed how she appreciated the meal for her family especially during this time of year. Her husband is an outdoor seasonal worker whose salary fluctuates and is contingent upon the weather.
Nguyen Le, a mother of three, lives in South Sacramento, where the holiday feast was held. Le was not able to fully understand a reporter’s questions because of a language barrier. However, she understood the universal language of a smile and the love behind the spirit of giving.
Kevin Carter, affectionately known as Coach Carter, is also a close friend to Granderson. He has been a mentor to Granderson since he was 9 years old. Carter was there to lend his full support.
“Carl, here he is in Louisiana, but he comes back to give back,” Carter said.
Carter paused behind the kitchen counter and got the attention of the room to offer up a blessing for the food – and to give accolades to the man of the hour, Granderson.
“Carl is truly a humanitarian,” Carter said. “He plays pro ball but he still sees you.”
Brittany Signor is ever present for her brother, Carl, and naturally speaks highly of him.
“Even though he is in the NFL, he is still the same person. He is very humble,” Signor said.
She humorously mentioned that she was older and she was his role model and it was not the other way around. She smiled and admitted, “He was the lucky chosen one.”
Signor did not hesitate as she stood behind the counter serving one mother, one father, one child at a time.
Granderson expressed gratitude to Louisiana Heaven restaurant, which provided food for the event.
“I’m thankful to have them cater some good mac n’ cheese, chicken, and green beans,” Granderson said. “It’s a blessing to have that support behind me.”
Granderson said giving back means a lot to him. He recalls the time as a young boy attending an NBA game and shaking the hand of All-Star player, Chris Paul.
Granderson remembers the pride and joy he felt from that handshake. He wants to be that same type of role model and pass along that same kind of feeling to kids from disenfranchised and marginalized communities in Sacramento.
“I’ve always known from that moment that when I make it, I want to have that same impact, to see a smile on their face and see them happy,” Granderson said.