FRISCO, Texas _ Popcorn shrimp, shrimp fried rice and a salad were part of the usual order at John's Seafood restaurant in Baton Rouge. Lahairoi Dillon occasionally placed it when visiting home as a student at nearby Southern University and A&M College.
Some of the plate, she'd eat right away. The rest, she'd plan to finish later. But upon returning to the refrigerator, that white to-go box would feel noticeably lighter than before.
Popcorn shrimp: gone.
Fried rice: gone.
"I'd leave the salad," La'el Collins said with a laugh. "I let her have that."
As two of five siblings raised by a resilient mother who worked multiple jobs, Lahairoi and La'el in some sense shared a typical sibling relationship. There was the occasional dust-up over food or footraces to see who sprinted faster. Far deeper than that, there was a bond. This surfaced around Thanksgiving last year when tragedy struck.
Today, La'el has much for which to be thankful.
The Cowboys' right tackle is healthy, albeit donning a bulky brace over a left knee sprain. He is playing the best football of his NFL career following a five-year, $50 million contract extension he signed in August. Most important, he has his family.
About 30 members, including Lahairoi and her husband, are in the Dallas area this week. The majority will attend Thursday's game against the Buffalo Bills before convening at his home for a holiday feast.
"I'm extremely grateful for everything I have," La'el said. "Family, my two beautiful kids. ... I'm thankful just to be in the place that I am right now. I've been through a lot in my life, the challenges that came with growing as a man. I'm thankful I finally get to see all of my family here together."
