DALLAS, Texas – Thanksgiving is still roughly two weeks away, but given their work schedules, the Cowboys helped celebrate the holiday a little early on Monday afternoon.
The Cowboys will be playing host to the Eagles at AT&T Stadium while the rest of the nation celebrates Thanksgiving. With that in mind, the team split into two groups Monday to serve an early Thanksgiving dinner to more than 500 less fortunate men, women and children at both The Salvation Army Carr P. Collins Social Service Center in Dallas and The Salvation Army Mabee Social Service Center in Fort Worth.
Several members of the Cowboys' rookie class served dinner in Fort Worth, while team veterans Jason Witten, DeMarco Murray, Dan Bailey, Chris Jones, Tyrone Crawford, Kyle Wilber, Tyler Clutts and George Selvie served a Thanksgiving meal at the Dallas location.
The Dallas Cowboys served up the team's annual "EARLY" Thanksgiving Day meal at The Salvation Army on Monday, with help from Cowboys partners UnitedHealthcare and Albertsons.
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 November 2014: Members
of the Dallas Cowboys serving an early Thanksgiving Day mat at the Salvation Army Carr P. Colliins Social Service Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
"It's great to come out here and give back as much as you can, and this is what life is about right here – the true meaning of giving back and spending time with people in need," Murray said.
The Thanksgiving dinner is presented by UnitedHealthcare, with food donations from Albertsons. Despite the fact that the Cowboys play on Thanksgiving, the early meal has become a long-lasting team tradition – evidenced by Witten, who served food for the 12th time in his 12-year career.
It's definitely been fun to be able to be part of it," Witten said. "Since I've been with the Cowboys, the Red Kettle and the partnership and tradition with that – it's great to be able to be part of it. It's an opportunity as a Cowboy player to be able to kind of take a minute and give back and appreciate the opportunities we have."
Members of the Dallas Cowboys Women's Association also helped serve Monday's meal in Dallas, led by Gene Jones and Charlotte Jones Anderson. As he has done several times in the past, Witten also brought his two sons to help serve.
"I think, as parents, you have the opportunity to talk to your kids about giving back, but very few times do you have the chance to bring them along with you and let them actually do it," Witten said. "It's good for them to see it, it's good for them to understand what's out there. I think it's a great opportunity to teach them.
[embeddedad0]"It's neat for them to be able to be with me. I always say I hope I play long enough so my kids can go experience these things – this is one of those that you want them to experience."
The Cowboys' run of success this season no doubt fueled some of the enthusiasm and holiday spirit. Their current 7-3 mark is their best record after 10 games since 2009, when they finished 11-5 and won their first playoff game since 1996.
That success didn't go unnoticed, either – particularly among one specific demographic at The Salvation Army.
"Yeah, yeah, especially the women. They have a lot of – they're pretty loud," Murray said. "It's great to have the support from this group, and through their struggle, we help them as far as playing and when we win – they're excited and it gets their minds off things. It's always good to come here and see the smiles on their faces."
