For linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, the sting of the Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Detroit Lions wasn’t the final story of his weekend. Growing up at the Boys and Girls Club shaped him. So after the tough loss, he stepped away from the noise. Instead of sulking, he did something that mattered for kids who were just like him.

Overshown surprised 10 kids from the Richardson Boys and Girls Club with a holiday shopping spree at JCPenney. Each gift card was for $200, totaling up to $2000.

“Any chance I get to be a blessing, I try and do my part,” he said, while adding that football has a purpose beyond the scoreboard.

“I feel like the NFL is my platform to really spread, you know, God’s grace, and, you know, he’s had an unlimited amount of mercy on me.”

However, Overshown had one hilarious rule. The kids could buy shoes, toys, clothes, and whatever fun stuff they wanted. But they could not buy other NFL teams’ jerseys.

Overshown does connect with these kids, as he was just like them.

“My dad growing up, he worked at a Boys & Girls Club. So me and my little brother, you know, every dodgeball day we’ll be there hanging out with the kids. So, you know, just seeing the Boys & Girls Club, like, I feel I definitely been in their shoes and, you know, just been around those kids in general.”

Inspiring kids has always been his goal, but doing it with personality makes the moment stick. Last December, he explained why all of this matters to him.

“I want to inspire, whether that’s on or off the field, and give back, whether that’s on or off the field, and coming home, especially doing it at home, it feels even more and more special,” DeMarvion Overshown said when he gave out bicycles to East Texas children. He continued, “Then around this year, just giving back whatever I can to help a family or to make a child smile, that’s what I’m all about.”

Back then, he handed out 20 brand-new bikes. Each bike came with a helmet, tennis shoes, and a water bottle, split evenly between 10 boys and 10 girls. Overshown’s gesture of grounding himself in his community comes at a critical time, as the Cowboys as a whole must find their own way to regroup after the loss to the Lions.

DeMarvion Overshown and the Cowboys need to bounce back

In Week 14, the Detroit Lions outlasted the Dallas Cowboys in a 44-30 game. The Lions now sit at 8-5 and are only one game behind the 49ers for the last NFC playoff seat.

On the other hand, America’s Team just wrapped a brutal run of four games in 17 days. Brian Schottenheimer saw his group go 3-1 during that stretch. They battled emotion after honoring Marshawn Kneeland in the win against the Raiders. Then they turned around and fought in an NFC East battle against Philly. It has been a roller coaster for Dallas.

So, it’s possible the Cowboys just ran out of gas. But Schottenheimer refused that idea.

“We’d keep playing; we’re ready. We’ll play anybody anywhere,” he said. “It doesn’t change because you lose to the Detroit Lions when you don’t play very good. We did not play very good, and that’s why we lost. I’d love to play them again tomorrow if they’d let us.”

So now at 6-6-1, the Cowboys sit in a tough spot. Wildcard chances are thin. So let’s see how they respond next week.