Pickett takes kids in need holiday shopping

GREEN BAY - Ryan Pickett has the beard. Listed by the Packers as 6'2", 338 pounds, he's got the jolly size. Now, he's got the gift-bearing credentials. The defensive lineman took 50 underprivileged kids from Green Bay shopping at Walmart to spread some holiday cheer.

"My wife and I have a passion for children and we just doing things in the holiday season to reach out to the community," said Pickett. "We just felt like this is a big need. We just have a lot of joy in doing this."

The event, called "Shop With a Jock," helped children from the American Foundation of Counseling Services and Family Services. The kids also got dinner and played games with several Packers players, who joined Pickett to take the kids around the store.

"Pickett is just the Santa Claus of Green Bay," said Packers rookie defensive lineman Jerel Worthy. "He fits the weight issue, the weight thing with Santa Claus. The jolliness in him, so he has a lot of fun with it."

Cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Davon House and linebacker Terrell Manning were among the players who also joined Pickett.

The kids leaned toward toys, board games and even the occasional skateboard. 

"I'm going to play with them when I get home," said one of the shoppers who was getting help picking out items from Davon House.

Pickett says he hopes to make this an annual event.