Cornerback Antone Exum spreads some holiday cheer
Cornerback Antone Exum got into the holiday spirit on Christmas Eve.
The cornerback, like all Virginia Tech players, got a $470 gift card to Best Buy as part of the team’s Russell Athletic Bowl swag.
He tweeted Monday that he spent his money on three kids from the Bahamas he met in the store, adding that teammates Tariq Edwards and Marcus Davis chipped in for some PlayStation 3 games.
The good deed spread on Twitter and later made its way onto Deadspin.
Exum wasn’t alone. Several other players, including kicker Cody Journell, gave the remaining balance on their cards to families trying to finish up some last-minute shopping.
The Hokies have another practice in Orlando this afternoon. I’ll have an update afterward.
December 25, 2012 - 12:05 AM
Nice job Antone, and the other hokies that shared. A classy move. Merry Christmas to all the bloggers . I’m sure the upcoming bowl game, and 2013 will bring lots of interesting perspectives.
Exum has a kind heart. That’s awesome1
Very nice to hear Hokies are sharing the Christmas Spirit. Just too bad Mr. Bitter has none of that. After his article on Cody Journell I have absolutely no use for the man and hope he and his family reap the sour grapes and negativity he has shown. Article was uncalled for and was especially appalled at his lack of taste and uncoth by again including photo of Cody in handcuffs. So much for spirit of the season and brotherly love–no wonder we have such crazy wierdos in this world. Bill
Want to know what a Hokie is? What Antone did with his gift card is what a Hokie is.
To Bill, I think your comment is a bit misguided. Cody wanted to talk to me. He was honest and candid about coming back from last year’s ordeal. He even came up to me today during practice and thanked me for the article. I think it was a fair article that showed how far he’s come in the last year.
As for the photo, you’ll have to take that up with our design desk. I turn in the stories for them to put on the page. If you have a problem with that, take it up with them.
I appreciate that Andy must be more diplomatic than the rest of us, and, certainly, that is the appropriate response. But let me be more to the point. Bill’s comment is rude and flat wrong and gives every impression that he didn’t read the story. I found it to be a fair, balanced, and interesting follow up to a story that could have taken dramatically different directions.
It is wonderful to read about a kid who chose to make the most of a second chance. Frank Beamer has had a long history of giving his players second chances and, for the most part, he’s been right. Cody seems to have honestly accepted the consequences and chosen to change directions and I appreciate Andy bringing us the story.
I agree the photo showing Cody in handcuffs again was not needed for the story. But as anyone with an inkling about the media business knows, writer write, while others pick headlines, photos and other ways to attract attention to the words.