Utah football team holiday food drive Las Vegas Bowl

Utah football players help feed 50 families in need before Las Vegas Bowl with food drive in the rain.

The day before their big game against Northwestern in the 32nd annual Las Vegas Bowl, the Utah football team took the time to give back to the community. Despite the rain, the players loaded up cars with meals to feed 50 families, totaling over 2,000 people. This food drive was made possible by a $25,000 donation from Las Vegas slot machine company Aristocrat Gaming, a sponsor of the bowl game, and organized by local charity The Just One Project.

Utah defensive tackle Junior Tafuna expressed the importance of giving back, stating that everyone goes through rough times and it's important to help those in need, especially during the holidays. Head coach Kyle Whittingham emphasized the gratitude the players have for their blessings and the importance of giving back to the community.

While the Northwestern football team was unable to attend the event, the Utah players stepped up and took on the responsibility of both sides of the donation event. Despite the inclement weather, the team was determined to spread joy and help those in need.

Tafuna likened the food drive to a pregame warm-up, emphasizing the importance of showing love and compassion to others. The Utah football program has a history of participating in the Las Vegas Bowl and wanted to continue their tradition of giving back to the community, regardless of the weather.

The game between Utah and Northwestern is set to take place at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, where the players will showcase their skills on the field after demonstrating their commitment to serving the community off the field.