Thanksgiving is a normal practice day for Pitt and all other college football teams around the nation without scheduled games.
Thursdays are typically the last day for serious on-field drills, and Pitt players will report in the morning, go over the game plan for the Miami game Saturday and adjourn to the field for the typical running, jumping and hitting associated with every practice.
After dismissal, however, every player, whether he lives in Butler (Jake Kradel) or Rome, Italy (Habukkuk Baldonado), will have a place to eat.
Many of the defensive linemen are meeting at a central location, arranged by Michelle Danielson, mother of senior Devin Danielson. “She took first dibs,” defensive line coach Charlie Partridge said.
The Partridge household has been host to past meals (holidays and otherwise), and he has the grocery bill to prove it.
“They’re not afraid to eat,” he said. “In the summer, they put us almost in the soup kitchen for a little bit.”
With so many players whose families live all across the U.S. — 17 states, Italy, Australia, Canada and the District of Columbia are represented — the goal is for everyone to have a place to go and share a meal with friends, teammates and coaches.
“We just want to make sure nobody’s sitting in their dorm room,” Partridge said. “That’s the biggest thing. No one’s doing that.”
SirVocea Dennis said all 14 linebackers are meeting at the home of their position coach, Ryan Manalac.
Competition among teammates won’t end when they step off the practice field. Linebackers Solomon DeShields and Bangally Kamara are planning a cook-off.
“Coach Manny and his wife (Carly) are doing the rest,” Dennis said.
It doesn’t sound like anyone will go away hungry.
“Linebackers gotta eat,” Dennis said.
Some of the offensive linemen are gathering at the home of senior Blake Zubovic. Center Owen Drexel and left guard Marcus Minor told their teammates they have enough skills to help in the kitchen, if necessary.
No word on whether Minor will make room on the dinner table for his specialty, chicken wings baked in honey and Old Bay seasoning.
Meanwhile, senior defensive end Deslin Alexandre will give special thanks to all those donors who contributed to his Fifth Down campaign to raise money for children in his native Haiti. He said about $40,000 of his $50,000 goal has been met.
“Definitely thankful. It’s a blessing,” he said.
He’s also looking forward to the game Saturday in his native Florida. “Homecoming for me,” he said.
Then, sometime in 2023, he plans to present a check to the people of Haiti to help with their educational, medical and other endeavors. He’ll present the check personally, he said.
“I do plan to get on the ground and help some kids out.”
