Every week during the season and several times during the offseason, players are in the community visiting hospitals, schools and various places where they know they might be able to help.

"I had somebody give back to me," said Shaun Phillips, whose foundation supports After School All-Stars, a program that provides academic support and mentors for underprivileged kids.

Several players have their own foundations, which benefit various local organizations, and during the holidays especially they step up their efforts through time and money.

This Thanksgiving week, besides the Chargers' 30th annual blood drive, an all-day event that every Chargers player attends for at least two hours, several players hosted dinners and other events.

"I just like these kids," said Quentin Jammer as he took a break from signing autographs and talking with attendees during his event. " ... I might make a difference in somebody's life. You never know when you might inspire somebody."

Among the week's events was LaDainian Tomlinson's annual "Giving Thanks with LT" Thanksgiving dinner giveaway; Jammer's dinner at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center for the foster kids and alumni of the San Pasqual Academy; and Matt Wilhelm's dinner at The Oceanaire for a dozen homeless kids from the Monarch School.

"It's a great opportunity," Wilhelm said. "Regardless of the outcome every week, we're still blessed as individuals with the ability to play Football and the status we have that people might look up to you."

Phillips explained his sense of responsibility.

"It's not in your contract to be a role model," he said. "But I want to be in the public eye, and I want to use my fame to have other people benefit."