Miami Dolphins tackle Vernon Carey gives away more than 600 turkeys

When a black limousine rolled up under police escort to Miami Northwestern High School on Monday afternoon, hundreds of Liberty City residents started screaming.

Leroy Williams of Liberty City summed up the scene: ``This is bigger than Obama.''

Vernon Carey, the Miami Dolphins' starting right tackle and a former lineman at the University of Miami and Northwestern High, is decidedly bigger than the president-elect -- at least physically. On Monday, he was back at his old school for the fourth annual Vernon Carey Thanksgiving Turkey Drive.

He and several of his teammates, including Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and members of the offensive line, gave turkeys and cranberry sauce to residents where he grew up.

''Times are tough and a lot of people are struggling,'' Carey said, ``this is my way of giving back to the community.''

People waited in line for hours to get a turkey and possibly a photo with the Dolphins players who manned the tables and gave away turkeys. The players were joined by members of Northwestern's football team.

Carey, a finalist for the 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, is involved in other programs focused on helping those who are less fortunate. He and his wife, LaTavia, started a mentoring program for students at Brownsville Middle School in Liberty City, and he also sponsors Carey's Crew, which allows 20 kids from the middle school to attend every home game.

By the end of the day, more than 600 turkeys and hundreds of cans of cranberry sauce had been unloaded from the 53-foot semi-container. Carey paid for the food, and Publix underwrote the truck and delivery.

''I think it's good for the neighborhood,'' said Danielle Pounds, a senior at Northwestern. ``The economy's bad and people don't have money to buy food right now.''

Carey's offensive line coach at Northwestern, Terrance Craig, summed up the day: ``Vernon is a good guy.''

(miamiherald.com)