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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

Tyrone Poole is helping to make sure families have a happy Thanksgiving.

Poole, a LaGrange High graduate who played in the NFL for 14 seasons and won two Super Bowl championships, returned to his hometown on Wednesday to give away 50 turkeys along with some sides.

The turkey give-away is one of the projects Poole has undertaken through his 38 Foundation.

“It’s my hometown,” Poole said. “I just try to help out. I know what it’s like to not have sometimes. I’ve been in that sector, on that side of the street so to speak.”

This is the third year Poole has held a turkey give-away in LaGrange.

Last year’s give-away was held at Canon Street Elementary School, where Poole attended school when he was a youth in LaGrange.

With social-distancing in mind, this year’s give-away was held in the student parking lot across from LaGrange High.

Cars drove up to a table, and Poole and his daughter Tyra passed the frozen turkeys and the sides through the passenger window.

Poole graduated from LaGrange in 1991, and after four successful seasons as a football player at Fort Valley State, Poole began his memorable NFL career that was highlighted by his two Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots.

“I know what it’s like for people to struggle, so I feel like anytime I have the ability to, I have to give back in any capacity, mentally, spiritually, whatever it is, give back and help the next person,” Poole said. “And that person being helped can help somebody. That’s how we keep everybody in abundant life.”