The Michigan State football program has been on a dramatic uptick in the past decade despite recent struggles, winning Big Ten titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
These program golden years were orchestrated by former head coach Mark Dantonio, who coached 13 seasons in East Lansing and led the program to two Big Ten title game victories, along with a Rose Bowl win in 2014 and a Cotton Bowl win in 2015.
Michigan State also shocked the college football world with a 2015 College Football Playoff appearance, although they were shut out by the Alabama Crimson Tide.
One of Dantonio’s most fearsome defensive players was William Gholston, a former Detroit Mumford High School graduate and the brother of former #6 overall draft pick Vernon Gholston of Ohio State.
On November 23, just three days before Thanksgiving, Gholston surprised residents of his hometown with a more-than-generous gift for the holidays: nearly 1,000 Thanksgiving turkeys.
In total, Gholston donated 992 turkeys to Detroiters, along with 900 turkeys in Tampa Bay, home of his current team the Buccaneers.
Donated 992 turkeys in Detroit and 900 turkeys in Tampa (to @FeedingTampaBay ) I hope to spread some holiday joy ? in a time that family is important.
— Will Gholston (@WILL_GHOLSTON2) November 23, 2020
Gholston was drafted by Tampa Bay back in 2013 and has been a member of the Bucs ever since, and has quietly put together a solid career for the NFC South Division contenders.
He’s played in 115 games and started 65 of them over the course of his time in the league, switching between left defensive end and right defensive end.
Gholston has 304 combined solo and assisted tackles along with 14 sacks during his eight seasons in the league, and is mostly known for his prowess as a run defender.
The former Detroit high school star and stout physical specimen signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract extension in 2017 and has started nine games so far in 2020 for Tom Brady and the Bucs.
Check out some of Gholston’s highlights during his illustrious career with the green and white in the video below:
