Star Athletes and Their Lavish Teammate Gifts
In the world of professional sports, where teamwork makes the dream work, many star athletes go above and beyond to show appreciation for their teammates—especially those who protect them on the field. These gestures of gratitude, often revealed during the holiday season, range from practical to extravagant, highlighting the special bonds formed in the heat of competition.
Perhaps no one exemplifies this tradition better than Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whose annual gift-giving has become legendary among NFL circles. What started as custom-fitted golf clubs for his offensive line in 2022 evolved into street-legal golf carts zooming around Arrowhead Stadium at 35 mph the following year. “I got that golf cart, the club car, at home and I’m like, ‘Man, this is sweet,'” Mahomes explained during a Chiefs press conference. “I figured I’d get them something I really enjoy… They do a lot for me, so I’m gonna take care of them as well.” His generosity continued to escalate, with 2024 bringing red Yeti coolers packed with silver Rolex watches and Normatec Elite compression boots. By 2025, despite being sidelined with injury, Mahomes didn’t miss a beat—gifting each lineman an incredible package including Aventon electric bikes ($1,799-$1,999), Beats Studio Pro headphones ($349), Hublot watches (valued between $12,000-$25,000), Rimowa suitcases ($1,500), designer sunglasses, and Full Swing golf simulator kits (starting at $11,000). The Chiefs celebrated this extraordinary generosity on social media, posting “Christmas came early for the o-line! Shoutout to QB1 for the gifts!”
Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani demonstrated similar appreciation in a uniquely personal way. When he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023, he surprised Joe Kelly’s wife Ashley—who had campaigned extensively for his signing with her #Ohtake17 social media effort—with a brand new Porsche. The moment was captured in a heartwarming Instagram video where a stunned Ashley was told by the delivery driver, “It’s yours. From Shohei. He wanted to gift you a Porsche.” Meanwhile, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers has maintained his gift-giving tradition across teams. During his Green Bay Packers days, he delighted teammates with green and yellow ATVs matching team colors for Christmas 2017. After joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rodgers continued the tradition in 2025, surprising his offensive line with Can-Am Maverick X3 off-road vehicles worth between $19,999 and $29,000 each. He even leaned into the holiday spirit, presenting these gifts while wearing a “The Dude Abides” sweater from The Big Lebowski.
The tradition extends well beyond these examples. Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry celebrated his offensive line with custom gold chains in 2021, featuring braided chains centered with “2K” medallions and crowns, each personalized with the player’s name, jersey number, and stats. San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey opted for a combination of luxury and leisure in 2023, gifting the entire offensive squad fitted golf clubs paired with bottles of tequila. “Any time you’re getting gifts, it’s always tough. You’ve got to get creative,” McCaffrey explained. “I figured if they don’t play golf, they will at some point in their life, so better to be prepared than not. It’s nice to have a bag of clubs in your garage.” His teammate, quarterback Brock Purdy, took a different approach in 2024, surprising the offensive line with white Toyota trucks—a mix of Sequoias and Tundras—simply stating, “These are yours, so Merry Christmas. Appreciate you guys. Thanks for all you do.”
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, known for his fashion sense, has shared his stylish taste with teammates through thoughtful gifts. For Christmas 2022, he presented the offensive linemen with Louis Vuitton duffle bags, which even impressed non-designer enthusiasts like offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, who admitted, “I’m not a big designer guy, [but] when we got those for Christmas, I was like, ‘That’s not bad…This is really nice.'” The following year, Hurts upped his game by distributing white luxury watches. Similarly, Russell Wilson demonstrated his appreciation to his Seattle Seahawks offensive line in 2019 with a forward-thinking gift: $12,000 in Amazon stock for each player. His accompanying letter spoke volumes about the relationship between quarterbacks and those who protect them: “You sacrifice your physical and mental well-being to protect me, which in turn allows me to provide care for my family. Now it is my turn to return the favor.”
Perhaps the most unique approach to teammate appreciation came from Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in 2025. Rather than opting for vehicles, electronics, or fashion items, Burrow invited his offensive linemen to his home for a Christmas gathering where he presented them with authentic dinosaur, bear, and mammoth fossils. ESPN reported that players selected their prehistoric treasures based on seniority, with center Ted Karras later reflecting, “I think it speaks to his intelligence and interests and his desire to do something unique. I thought it was really special.” This distinctive gift perfectly captures what makes these gestures meaningful beyond their monetary value—they represent thoughtfulness, personality, and recognition of the crucial role teammates play in each other’s success. Whether through golf carts racing around stadium parking lots, custom luxury items, or pieces of natural history, these gifts strengthen the bonds that help transform talented individuals into championship teams.
