Olivier Vernon’s New York Giants teammates and coaches are surely enjoying their Christmas holiday, thanks to a generous gift from the defensive end.
As reported by NJ.com’s Dan Duggan, Vernon purchased $3,000 personalized bottles of Louis XIII Cognac for each of his teammates and coaches, along with additional members of the organization. With 75 players on the Giants roster, 20 members of the coaching staff and the other team staffers and executives who received gifts from Vernon, the total price tag of the Christmas cheer is in the $300,000 range.
Olivier Vernon's gifting of Louis XIII bottles for every member of the Giants was one of the largest purchases in the brand's history pic.twitter.com/ctxpeaF9NY
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 24, 2016
Plenty will surely point out that Vernon can easily afford such a gift after signing a five-year, $85 million free agent contract with the Giants before this season. But it’s still quite a gesture, and not every NFL player makes such a gesture with his teammates. Though some, such as Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott, certainly have.
What a class act! Can't thank you enough bro @oliviervernon54. By far the coolest gift I've ever received. pic.twitter.com/5296eFLB4W
— Brad Wing (@bwing38) December 24, 2016
Vernon had each individual bottle engraved with the recipient’s name and the package included two matching champagne glasses.
“I wanted to thank you for welcoming me to the Giants family and wish you a happy holiday season,” wrote Vernon in a card accompanying each gift, signed “OV.”
Dating back to 1874, the Louis XIII luxury brandy is sold in limited editions and packaged in individually numbered crystal decanters that weigh 11 pounds.
In his first season with the Giants after four with the Miami Dolphins, Vernon, 26, has lived up to his lucrative contract. In 15 games, he leads the team with 8.5 sacks and has notched 61 tackles. With 17 tackles for loss, Vernon leads the NFL in that category.
[NJ.com]
