Steelers Linebacker Ulysses Gilbert Pays Off Layaway Debt for 60 Families in Florida
Ulysees Gilbert of the Pittsburgh Steelers gave Christmas presents to 60 Florida families. (AP)
(IBexNews) - Ulysees Gilbert, linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, paid off layaway debt for 60 Florida families in what for them is a Christmas miracle.
“I just wanted to help out my city a little bit, and all y’all layaway has been paid off,” said Gilbert, a Marion County native, to shoppers at Burlington Coat Factory in Ocala, Florida on Tuesday.
The idea came to him after reports surfaced on social media of other professional athletes paying off layaway debts, Gilbert told WESH-TV of what inspired his $10,000 gift.
Working with the nonprofit Pay Away the Layaway, the NFL rookie helped people such as Sherita Graham, who along with her husband are both disabled, are caring for grandchildren, and were $500 in the hole because of Christmas gifts.
“My heart is overflowing with gratitude for him. I could tear up now,” Graham told WESH. “He came back home and took care of his hometown people, giving them a Christmas. That’s just wonderful. His momma has done a fantastic job with him.”
In terms of athlete largesse, he joins two NFL players who have paid off debt of another kind. Last month, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman paid off more than $27,000 in lunch debt for public school students in Washington State and California, and last week Patriots’ defensive end Chase Winovich, also a rookie, paid his hometown district’s school lunch debt.
“My heart is overflowing with gratitude for him. I could tear up now,” Graham told WESH. “He came back home and took care of his hometown people, giving them a Christmas. That’s just wonderful. His momma has done a fantastic job with him.”
In terms of athlete largesse, he joins two NFL players who have paid off debt of another kind. Last month, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman paid off more than $27,000 in lunch debt for public school students in Washington State and California, and last week Patriots’ defensive end Chase Winovich, also a rookie, paid his hometown district’s school lunch debt.
For her part, Graham was gobsmacked.
“I thought I was going to pass out,” the 55-year-old told the Ocala Star-Banner, adding that it was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for her.
Gilbert played for Trinity Catholic High School and the University of Akron, then was drafted into the NFL last spring, the Banner said.
Pay Away the Layaway has been raising money to pay off layaway debt since 2011, working in partnership with “Good Morning America” to raise funds throughout the year to eliminate debt on items for children at several retail chains, its website says.
For her part, Graham was gobsmacked.
“I thought I was going to pass out,” the 55-year-old told the Ocala Star-Banner, adding that it was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for her.
Gilbert played for Trinity Catholic High School and the University of Akron, then was drafted into the NFL last spring, the Banner said.
Pay Away the Layaway has been raising money to pay off layaway debt since 2011, working in partnership with “Good Morning America” to raise funds throughout the year to eliminate debt on items for children at several retail chains, its website says.
