Christmas Day is turning into a workday for the Ravens. Playing their second road game on the holiday in as many years, Ravens players will be busy on Dec. 25, but they have all had their share of relaxing, gift-filled Christmases.
We surveyed the Ravens locker room and asked players for their favorite Christmas gift of all-time. Enjoy and happy Holidays!
C Tyler Linderbaum
Linderbaum: It’s either a PlayStation or PSP. The PSP is a handheld PlayStation, basically. I got that when I was like 6 and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I don’t even know if it’s still around.
Any go-to game?
Linderbaum: I played a basketball game on it. And then the PlayStation … I don’t know which one came first, but that was fun. I would play, I think, basketball games on it, I think NFL Street. I can’t remember if that was on there, but I think it was. Those were some fun games.
What’s at the top of your Christmas list this year?
Linderbaum: My socks are getting bad. I need some socks. I mean, I feel like once you get older, it’s like, ‘What do I need?’ I don’t know. I’m pretty grateful, I have a lot of things. … I’ve thrown some socks away. But maybe some clothes and stuff like that. I don’t really ask for stuff for Christmas.
ILB Trenton Simpson
Simpson: I think when I was 7, my dad got me a dirt bike. A red dirt bike, and it had a number seven on it. I was born in Georgia, and it was Michael Vick. So it was a red dirt bike. He has it on video record, actually, but I remember, that was probably my favorite gift; that’s the one I can remember I was the most excited about.
Do you have the video?
Simpson: I know I’ve seen it, for sure, because he shows it to us almost every year on Christmas.
Do your parents still get you gifts on Christmas?
Simpson: No, the roles have reversed now. So it’s more like I’m getting my parents stuff now, but I think they chime in enough throughout the year. My mom will grab me a nice jumpsuit or something throughout the year. So now it’s time to start giving back. I’m getting them presents now.
LB Malik Harrison
Harrison: I think it’s when I got my first Xbox. My first Xbox 360. I wanted it so bad. This was when Toys “R” Us was open. So we were going in there and I’m thinking we’re shopping for somebody else. So we got to get presents for my little cousins, all that. I think I was with my mom actually. We walked past the Xbox like three times, and I was just looking at it. I pick it up and everything. I’m like, ‘Mom.’ She’s like, ‘No.’ And then at the end, she’s like, ‘Go get the Xbox.’ I ran to go get it. I treasured that until I got the red ring. When I got the red ring, I was like, ‘Oh, it’s time for a new one.’
What’s on your wish list this year?
Harrison: It’s kind of tough for me.
Why are you tough?
Harrison: Because I usually get all my things throughout the year. So by the time you get to Christmas, it’d be like, oh, it’s just a bonus. I think I want something for my house or my car. It’s for me, but it’s for, you know, basically everybody else to look at.
Are we talking like decorations, furniture?
Harrison: Like a nice piece of furniture. A nice quality furniture or something to wrap my car. Like to wrap my car or a body kit.
CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
Armour-Davis: My mom wasn’t able to give me a car on my 16th birthday, which is in September. But later that year she was able to give me my first car.
What kind of car?
Armour-Davis: It was a Kia Optima, and I spray painted my rims black. So I have to say a Kia. My mom got me my first car in high school as a Christmas gift. That was the best one by far, I think.
Do you have anything this year that’s on your Christmas list?
Armour-Davis: I’m not going to lie, I haven’t even thought about myself for Christmas, man. I’m so busy being Santa myself. I haven’t even thought twice about myself. Cause I’m dishing out so much. Watching what you spending or what not. I haven’t even thought about myself, to be honest, man. A dub, because we play on Christmas. A win.
TE Isaiah Likely
Likely: Probably my first PS4. Everybody in my house pitched in to get it. So I felt like that was just a good gift for myself.
What’s at the top of your wish list this year?
Likely: Super Bowl. For real. And then probably just seeing all my family smile. I mean, that’s just always what I look for around this time. Never take anything for granted. Obviously loving where I’m at and just seeing my family smile.
WR Tylan Wallace
Wallace: When I was little I think I had got my first like Xbox [360] or something like that. Me and my brother were begging for one like, ‘Oh, can we please, please have one.’ And then once we got that I mean, my mom couldn’t get us off it for I don’t know how long, probably like the rest of the year. That was my first one ever and we were just so excited.
Do you have anything non-football related on your Christmas list for this?
Wallace: I think one was something basic; I asked for like some candles. I’m a big shoe guy, so I asked for some shoes. I’m trying to work on my Jordan collection, so I’m working on that. So I definitely asked for a pair of those.
Just strictly Jordans?
Wallace: For the most part, yeah, just Jordans, I’m trying to work on that collection. I’m trying to start that collection, get it going, and hopefully build it up.
OL Patrick Mekari
Mekari: PSP. Portable Play Station.
Linderbaum: Bro, that’s what I said!
What’s on your Christmas list this year?
Mekari: I want house slippers. There was something else I thought of today. I want blue light glasses for when I’m video gaming.
WR Nelson Agholor
Agholor: My first ever Christmas gift in America, we got like just this random Hess truck set. That was probably one of my favorite things because it was the first ever time. My mom worked at a nursing home and the people that were there gave her a gift bag to bring home to the family. That’s the first ever time I remember getting Christmas gifts.