Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown showed up to Kid City USA in Tyler for a bike giveaway, just days after major knee surgery. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

While Santa is in the North Pole busy preparing for his busiest night of the year, Kid City USA in Tyler was filled with joy and excitement, thanks to the generous heart of Dallas Cowboys linebacker and Arp native DeMarvion Overshown.

“When I say I travel everywhere with my community with me, I do,” Overshown said. “The NFL season has about average nine, 10 away games, and I guarantee my city is going with me. So, when I say that love and that support is felt everywhere, it makes me wanna go out there and work harder.”

Overshown came to Tyler on Monday to give away 20 bikes at Kid City USA. The giveaway also included a helmet, tennis shoes, and a water bottle.

“I want to inspire whether that’s on or off the field and give back whether that’s on or off the field,” Overshown said. “And coming home — especially doing it at home — it feels even more special and 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.”

Overshown, a former Arp High School standout, chose bikes as a way to keep kids not only active but competitive.

“I’m all about competing and anytime you can get the kids outside the houses, that’s where you build the character,” he said.

This collaboration involved Cable’s Roofing, C. Cooper Custom Homes, BB Cleaning Services, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kid City USA, and Overshown’s agent DiMitri Bowie through his company, Keep It Even, LLC.

“It was a blessing when we got the phone call, we were so overjoyed,” said Tiffany Veasey, franchisee owner of Tyler’s Kid City USA. “A lot of our families that we chose, it was very much needed. Some of them were telling me they had never been chosen for something like this, so it’s very exciting.”

Kid City USA, a daycare and preschool facility located at 2101 Shiloh Road in Tyler, has been serving the community for about a year and a half.

“(The giveaway) really has been a dream come true,” Veasey said. “I was excited, the kids were excited… we were so gracious for him to be here with us today.”

Overshown reflected seeing the joy on the kids’ faces.

“It makes me feel like I’m on top of the world,” he said. “You see smiles on the faces of kids and … it’s just something that we need more of in this world. You see a lot of crazy things going on and you know you don’t know how far a smile goes on somebody’s face.”

Families were feeling thankful for the experience.

“This was a very overwhelming experience, we’re so grateful and blessed,” said mom Kelsey Williamson. “We love the Dallas Cowboys, so this was just like the most unique thing that we could have before Christmas.”

Williamson’ twin daughters Randi and Palmer were excited to meet Overshown.

“He’s very sweet and just has a lot of compassion,” Williamson said. “We’re just so excited.”

For 12-year-old Braylon Shaw, meeting Overshown in person was a moment he’ll never forget.

“He came out of nowhere,” Shaw said. “Like he didn’t say he was here… he just came out of nowhere with a black car and I was like ‘Oh no!’”

However, Shaw was grateful to receive a bike.

“I feel joyful,” he said. “I’m glad he’s here. I’m glad he’s out of the hospital.”

Overshown suffered a devastating knee injury in a Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals in an attempt to make a tackle in the fourth quarter. While some might view the injury as ‘career-ending,’ Overshown considers it just another hurdle to overcome.

“This is just another step forward… that’s exactly how I’m attacking this process,” he said. “The doctors took a look at my knee after surgery and they were surprised by how well I was moving. That’s the power of the Man Above and the prayers.”

Overshown’s surgery from last Tuesday to repair his torn ACL was proven successful and he’s ready to begin rehabilitation.

“I’m feeling great, couldn’t be better, to be honest,” he said. “I’m ready to take this road to recovery.”

As for any advice for first-time riders: “You’re gonna fall down, but you get up and you keep going,” Overshown said. “That’s all you can do.”