Skip to main content
Florida State
Join Now

Holiday Spirit: FSU's Darrell Jackson, Micah Pettus host turkey giveaways

On3 imageby: Ira Schoffel17 hours agoiraschoffel

Two of the largest and best football players on the Florida State football team showed this week that they also have two of the largest and best hearts.

Senior defensive tackle Darrell Jackson and senior offensive tackle Micah Pettus each donated their own money and time — and recruited teammates to help — to provide free turkey dinners and more this week to Tallahassee residents in need.

Jackson partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend to host a Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway on Monday at the Springfield Apartments on Joe Louis Street. With the help of his friends, Jackson handed out free food to 100 families — they each got a full frozen turkey, a box of Stove Top stuffing, a bag of instant potatoes and a pie for dessert.

Pettus hosted a similar event on Florida State’s campus with the help of Legends Hospitality, in which families came to the FSU football facilities to receive their free meals and tour some of the amenities.

Jackson, who grew up in a single-parent household, said he always dreamed of being able to help struggling families when he got the opportunity.

“We needed help and we went to things like this to get turkeys for Thanksgiving,” Jackson said of his childhood. “So I just know the families that came out, they need it. So it’s just been a blessing. … God blessed me, so I want to be able to give back to the community.”

Jackson hosted a similar event last Thanksgiving back in his hometown of Havana, Fla., and Pettus did the same when he played for Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss.

Both players also received help at their events from teammates, coaches and Florida State staff members. Associate head coach Odell Haggins, defensive line coach Terrance Knighton and recruiting director Devin Rispress were part of the group at Jackson’s event, and FSU head coach Mike Norvell stopped by to interact with families at the one hosted by Pettus.

Jackson said he also plans to host a Christmas toy drive next month in Havana.

“I knew if I made it big in football, I knew I was going to give back to the community,” Jackson said. “That’s just something I always wanted to do. I saw all the football players doing that, so that just encouraged me to do it.”

During his event, Pettus signed numerous autographs and posed for photos with young Florida State fans, and Jackson did the same at his.

“It feels good because at one point in time, I was one of them kids,” Jackson said.

Florida State OL Micah Pettus signs a football for a youth at his turkey giveaway event. (Courtesy of FSU Football)
Pettus shakes the hand of a youngster at his turkey event. (Courtesy of FSU Football)
Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson (center) poses for a photo with several of his fellow D-Linemen and coaches at his turkey giveaway on Monday. (Ira Schoffel/Warchant)
Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson (center) poses for a photo with several of his fellow D-Linemen and coaches at his turkey giveaway on Monday. (Ira Schoffel/Warchant)
Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson (center) poses for a photo with staff from the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Bend at his turkey giveaway on Monday. (Ira Schoffel/Warchant)
Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson (center) poses for a photo with staff from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend at his turkey giveaway on Monday. (Ira Schoffel/Warchant)

Here are additional photos from Jackson’s event:

SIGN UP: Join Warchant’s FSU Community for $1 today

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.

You may also like