In a special holiday edition of Beyond the Wall, AFL Communications sat down with players to talk about their favorite holiday memories, presents and their wishes to Arena Football Nation.

EDITOR: What are your favorite holiday memories?

SAN JOSE SABERCATS OL MANNY AKAH
I think it’s a universal thing where kids want to see Santa Clause. I stayed up all night when I was young to see if Santa Clause was real. I went down to my living room and slept on the couch. By midnight, I was knocked out sleeping. I woke up at six in the morning and the presents were already under the tree. I was mad. I didn’t even leave him cookies or anything that night because I wanted to find out if Santa was real. That morning, I woke up mad. I was arguing with my mom asking, ‘how is Santa going to come through, leave toys and nobody wakes me up to tell me?’

CLEVELAND GLADIATORS WR THYRON LEWIS
My oldest daughter (4-years old) finds everything, so we hid all the presents in the garage and covered them up. While we were eating dinner and feeding our youngest (1-year old) on Christmas Eve, lo and behold, she goes and finds her electronic car and play stove. But the next morning, she was still excited to actually see it put together and she played with it all day.

ARIZONA RATTLERS WR ANDRAE THURMAN
My biggest game in the NFL was on Christmas versus the Bears! I caught four passes for 52-yards from Brett Favre, but was denied and tackled at the three-yard-line by my old roommate and best friend Lance Briggs! Unforgettable game and moment! However, I was very upset Briggs didn’t slip or fall down!

MILWAUKEE MUSTANGS DB JUSTIN HANNAH
Every Christmas means something to me, but my most memorable one was when I bought my dad and my little brother their first pair of Jordans. The expression on their faces and their appreciation of them was just something that I’ll never forget. Being able to give my little brother and my father their first pair of Jordans was special and it’s something that I’ll never forget.

PITTSBURGH POWER WR MIKE WASHINGTON
When I was six years old I was waiting up for Santa Clause all night long on the couch. I saw my granddad go into the basement and bring up two bags full of presents. At this point, he thought I was sleeping. I got up from the couch and asked my granddad where he got those presents. He said Santa gave him the presents.  I caught him red-handed!

EDITOR: What was the best present you ever got?

MILWAUKEE MUSTANGS DB JUSTIN HANNAH
My all-time favorite gift as a kid – I got the Ninja Turtles bedroom set. I was a huge fan of the Ninja Turtles. Of course, my favorite Ninja Turtle was Raphael. He was the tough one. He was bold one; he was the one with all the courage. He was just solid. He was the tough guy. He was the one out front, sticking up for his brothers.

SPOKANE SHOCK WR ADRON TENNELL
The best presents I got were Playstations 1, 2 and 3!

PHILADELPHIA SOUL QB DAN RAUDABAUGH
The best Christmas present I ever got was Triple Arcade. When I was a kid, I played just about every day.

CLEVELAND GLADIATORS WR THYRON LEWIS
When I was five, I was a big 49ers fan and I would always ask my parents to take me up to a game and meet Jerry Rice. The following year, my aunt and uncle took me to the game and I got to meet my favorite wide receiver and a couple of other players. My mom hired Santa to come to the door, and hand me the tickets because I didn’t believe in Santa. I ran to my dad and told him Santa was at the door with my Jerry Rice tickets! I was very grateful for my parents and aunt and uncle for pulling it off.

EDITOR: What are your plans for this holiday season?

MILWAUKEE MUSTANGS DB JUSTIN HANNAH
I’m going to try to spend as much time as I can with my family. I can’t wait to see the expression on their faces when they see these gifts! But it’s not just about the gifts. I train so much and I go from city to city playing football, it’s just always nice to go home and share that time with my family. There’s nothing more important.

PHILADELPHIA SOUL QB DAN RAUDABAUGH
I’m coming home to Coppell, Texas to visit family and friends. My mom makes a great rice pudding that I always look forward to. Being with my family and loved ones is something I always appreciate and I’m always grateful for.

EDITOR: Do you have any holiday wishes for Arena Football Nation?

SAN JOSE SABERCATS OL MANNY AKAH
I want to wish the Arena Football Nation a Happy Holiday! I hope all there wishes come true!

MILWAUKEE MUSTANGS DB JUSTIN HANNAH
I’m coming to the Bradley Center now, so I’m looking forward to having a great year with my new Milwaukee fans and teammates. Happy Holidays and I wish you all many more!

CLEVELAND GLADIATORS WR THYRON LEWIS
I’d just like to thank all the fans of Arena Football for their support, especially the “Red Nation” in Cleveland. I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! I pray you all get what you wished for and may God bless you!

EDITOR: Guys, thanks for sitting down with us today. Happy Holidays!