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Ray Rice Wins NFL Appeal, Can Pay Again; 16 Arrested Overnight in Ferguson; Community Meets on Gun Violence After Boy's Death; Pope Francis on 3-Day Visit to Turkey; Growing Concerns Over Rapes Reported at UVA; Conflicted Emotions Over Ferguson; Ray Rice Wins Appeal Can Return To The NFL; Top Movies This Holiday Season; Soaring Plane Ticket Prices; NFL Team Donates Money, Time To Charities

Aired November 29, 2014 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to the 11:00 Eastern hour of the NEWSROOM beginning right now.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

WHITFIELD: Allowed to play again. Ray Rice winning an appeal of the suspension he got after being caught on camera beating his wife. This as Janay Rice pours her heart out about that night.

Then, a college football player disappears. The frightening text message he sent before he went missing.

And two boys trapped under several feet of snow for seven hours.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED BOY: I was thinking that me and my cousin were going to die.

UNIDENTIFIED BOY: We started screaming and telling him stop but he didn't hear us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Wow. How they survived, next.

(MUSIC)

WHITFIELD: Hello, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Welcome to the CNN NEWSROOM.

Up first this morning, Ray Rice wins his appeal against the NFL and can play again as soon as a team signs him. An arbitrator ruled Commissioner Roger Goodell had no basis to increase Rice's original suspension to indefinite because he didn't lie about hitting then fiancee Janay Rice in an Atlantic City elevator.

Joining me right now is Rashan Ali.

So, Rashan, the NFL didn't suspend Rice until after the video surfaces and the NFL and the world started talking about it very publicly. So, does this ruling say it is a problem with the NFL and Roger Goodell have to collectively now deal with?

RASHAN ALI, CNN SPORTS: Yes, absolutely. Well, this case really came down to double jeopardy. A former federal judge ruled that Rice was being punished twice for the same offense and that violates the league's collective bargaining agreement.

Now, in the wake the appeal, the NFL confirms it is working on a new personnel conduct policy. And in a statement the league says this, "Judge Jones' ruling underscores the urgency of our work to develop and implement a clear fair and comprehensive, new personnel conduct policy."

So, that's what you have and that's where it stands right now.

WHITFIELD: And so, Janay is talking now. He spoke to NBC's Matt Lauer.

ALI: Right.

WHITFIELD: What do we know that she said?

ALI: Well, she's speaking more in details and talking about that altercation that night. She told NBC's Matt Lauer that her first reaction was to be done with the relationship.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JANAY RICE, WIFE OF FORMER RAVENS PLAYER RAY RICE: I was furious, we came home and we didn't talk the entire ride. Well, I didn't speak to him the entire ride. Home, he tried to talk to me, I don't want to hear anything.

I just knew he hit me and I was completely over it. I was done. I didn't want to hear anything. I just didn't even want to entertain him, anything he had to say, any explanation. Of course in the back of my mind and in my heart, I knew that our relationship wouldn't be over because I know this is us and it's not him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: OK. So more of that of course later on. In the meantime, he was with the Ravens.

ALI: Yes.

WHITFIELD: Why would the Ravens not be compelled to re-sign him after letting him go even though the NFL decision has been overturned now?

ALI: Well, I really don't think that they want the media scrutiny. I'm not really sure any team wants the media scrutiny. Not right now. He is free agent and can sign anywhere. The team owner has already said the Ravens will not bring him back.

So far, no other teams have made public statements about wanting to add him to their roster. So, obviously, it's still developing. I don't see Ray Rice being on anyone's roster this season. Maybe next season.

WHITFIELD: And, of course, we can't wait to hear from him. We're hearing from his wife. And we still need to hear his voice in totality about the whole experience has been like for him.

ALI: Yes, absolutely. So, we'll wait to hear from him as well.

WHITFIELD: All right. Rashan Ali, thanks so much. Appreciate it. Good to see you.

ALI: Good to see you.

WHITFIELD: All right. On to Ferguson, Missouri, today, a new march in honor of the Michael Brown is expected to begin at around 1:00 Eastern Time. After quiet Thanksgiving, there were more arrests overnight after protests broke out. Fresh protests also erupted yesterday in several cities around the country, including Seattle and the Bay Area. More than a dozen people were arrested in Oakland after the public transit service was disrupted for more than an hour.

Stephanie Elam is in Ferguson with the latest.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Sixteen people arrested overnight here in Ferguson, Fredricka. Of those 16, it's worth noting only one person was from Missouri, the St. Louis area. Everyone else is from state that was arrested.

But in this clash, you could see, this is sort of the same thing we've been seeing, where you may have a couple people show up or you may have several dozen show up outside of the Ferguson Police Department. And then having these clashes where you see people getting arrested. And this is what protesters said was going to continue. And they are going to continue to demonstrate no matter what the grand jury decided and you're seeing as taking shape here and also around the country.

As far as Missouri is concerned, the Governor Nixon is calling for special assembly of the Missouri general assembly to discuss how they are going to pay for all the law enforcement that was called here to Ferguson. Also announcing $625,000 of zero interest loans available to people who had businesses affected because of what is happening here in Ferguson.

But all in all what you see happening here with the protests and demonstrations on Black Friday, not just being limited to St. Louis. It is also spreading around the country. And to that end, the NAACP is planning to have a march starting today that will go from the Canfield Green apartments where Mike Brown died and march to Jefferson City to the Missouri governor mansion.

Their put is they want to put focus on police brutality and racial profiling and they are seriously focusing on one point. And that is to get the removal of the police chief from the Ferguson Police Department. They would like for him to step down and for there to be more attention focused on how that particular police department is interacting with the people of color, especially young men of color in Ferguson. But again, it's a message that has been resonating not just here but

obviously through all the protests we've seen around the country, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Stephanie, thanks so much in Ferguson.

A missing Ohio State University football player complained about concussion symptoms before he disappeared. Kosta Karageorge never showed up for practice Wednesday morning. He complained about occasionally becoming confused. Something he blamed on several concussions.

In his last contact with anyone, a text to his mother around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. Karageorge told her that the concussions had messed his up.

For now, police are treating this as the normal missing person's case.

All right. Now the tragic incident in Cleveland where police shot and killed a boy who had been pointing a toy pellet gun at people in public. Well, it happened last Saturday and people from Tamir Rice's community held a meeting last night to talk about gun violence and police relations.

Meanwhile new surveillance video and 911 tapes released this week are raising alarming new questions about the tragedy.

CNN's Rosa Flores joins me now from New York with more details.

So, Rosa, Rice's family wanted this to be a teachable moment. So what kind of message are they trying to convey to people?

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, it is such a tragic and painful event for this family, Fred. And their response is really resonating with some observers. It has created a constructive conversation of a dialogue of sorts between police and the community. Now, I want you to take a listen at a gathering at a church in Cleveland yesterday. Because you are going to see how church members not only voice their grief but also applaud the police.

Now, all this is in the same gathering. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a hate crime that hurts into my heart. I have to pull it back. I couldn't take it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know that there is a great deal of unrest in the community and, God, that's why we call upon you, because you are a God that can make things better.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've been on the job for almost 30 years and I never had to shoot anybody. And I've been out there.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FLORES: It's a conversation triggered by the death of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old who was shot and killed by police. Surveillance video shows the boy walking around, sometimes brandishing his gun, sometimes pointing it at people.

And one person called 911, telling dispatchers about a black male, probably a juvenile, who was pointing a pistol, adding that it could be fake, saying that twice actually. Two officers respond. The video shows that within two seconds upon arrival, the 12-year-old is shot. The police say the officer asked the boy to show his hands three times before shooting. The boy died a day later.

It turns out the gun was a toy. Now, all the details still under investigation and the officers involved are on leave.

But, again, Fred, what resonates here is that upon the request of the parents to have a constructive dialogue, this community has honored that request, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Hmm. All right. Rosa Flores, thanks so much. We'll check back with you later, because still many people want an explanation as to why the dispatcher didn't convey to the police that someone called in saying they thought it was a kid, and they thought the gun might be fake and perhaps that might have helped prevent something as well.

We'll check back with you, Rosa. Appreciate that.

All right. Pope Francis is on the second leg of a three-day trip to Turkey, designed to create stronger ties between the country's Christian and Muslim communities.

Earlier he led a mass in Istanbul and toured two religious sites, including a 17th century mosque.

CNN senior international correspondent Arwa Damon is in Istanbul and she joins us live now from Turkey, and the small Christian community.

So, why is the pope making this trip?

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, small Christian community, yes. But perhaps this trip is arguably more about the sizable Muslim community here and the fact that it gives him a platform whereby which he can try to address the Muslim world.

The real core of his visit has been that message about the need to recreate a pillar of trust and also reopen much needed bridges of interfaith dialogue. The pope praying alongside briefly the grand mufti of Istanbul inside the Blue Mosque, or the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and then he also visited the Hagia Sophia Museum.

This is particularly interesting because of its history. Hagia Sophia was initially a church. Later when the Turks took Constantinople, they repurposed it, transformed into a mosque. Today, as it stands as a museum and very much epitomizing perhaps what the pope would hope to be able to accomplish.

Inside Hagia Sophia, you will see both Islamic calligraphy and Christian frescos.

Now, the pope's statements throughout his entire visit have really been trying to emphasize the need for interfaith dialogue. It's such a critical juncture for Christians in the Middle East. Over the last decade, we have been seeing levels of persecutions of the Christian communities in Iraq and Syria that arguably the region has not seen for about a century or so.

The vast majority of Christians in both Iraq and Syria for around 10 years now have been forced to flee their homes, flee their countries. First because of al Qaeda and then because of the threat posed by ISIS.

WHITFIELD: All right. Arwa Damon, thanks so much, from Istanbul on the pope's visit.

All right. From zero expulsions to zero tolerance? A student reporter interviews a top official at the University of Virginia and what that official has to say about the culture of rape on campus may stun you. That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: One of the nation's most prestigious universities is facing widespread criticism after a shocking report about rape on campus. "Rolling Stone" magazine first reported on the many alleged sexual assaults happening at the University of Virginia. Even more disturbing the magazine said far too many of the rape claims were never properly investigated.

Now, the university is responding, planning to adopt a zero tolerance policy for sexual misconduct but the university's move has done little to ease concerns over what is happening at UVA.

Our Joe Johns picks up the story from here.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PROTESTORS: Not one more!

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Protests and angry accusations at university leadership, the fallout from an explosive article in "Rolling Stone," recounting in graphic detail the alleged gang rape at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house two years ago of a female student named Jackie.

NICOLE ERAMO, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF STUDENTS, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA: I can tell you that I spoke to 38 sexual assault survivors last year.

JOHNS: This is Dean Nicole Eramo, who heads UVA's board that investigates sexual misconduct allegations. A few weeks before the "Rolling Stone" article, Eramo, in an interview with a student reporter defended the fact that no student has been expelled for rape or sexual assault since 1998, not even the ones she says have admitted their guilt to her in informal sessions.

ERAMO: I feel like if a person is willing to come forward in that setting and admit that they violated the policy when there's absolutely no advantage to do so, that that does deserve some consideration, that they're willing to say that I've done something wrong and I recognize that, and I'm willing to take my licks and deal with it. That's very important to me.

JOHNS: Dean Eramo also put the responsibility of filing a formal complaint on the victim.

ERAMO: They're not looking for expulsion or they're not looking for that type of a sanction. They're -- they're looking to be able to look into the eyes of that other person and say, you wronged me in some way, and they're generally feeling quite satisfied with the fact that the person has admitted that they've done something wrong.

JOHNS: Listen to the student reporter press Eramo.

CATHERINE VALENTINE, STUDENT REPORTER: Do you not think it's damaging for sexual assault victims to see the person who sexually assaulted or raped them on campus?

ERAMO: I think it absolutely can be.

VALENTINE REPORTER: So why are they allowed to stay on grounds?

ERAMO: Because I think we are trying to balance the rights of the individual who's being accused as well as the rights of the complainant, and sometimes that's very difficult.

JOHNS: Scores of former and current students have written letters, supporting Dean Eramo.

And despite the way her case was handled, Jackie, the woman at the center of the storm, has stepped back into the spotlight to show her support as well, writing, "Dean Eramo has truly saved my life. If it were not for her, I don't know if I would by alive today."

(on camera): We reached out to Dean Eramo today. She works in this building behind me on the UVA campus. We were told by an aide she would not make herself available for comment. The aide would not take our telephone number and said the dean would not call us later for a conversation on the phone.

Joe Johns, CNN, Charlottesville, Virginia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And earlier we talked to UVA student reporter Catherine Valentine who interviewed Dean Eramo and she asked the dean about students who had come to her and admitted they raped someone and if it was enough of a punishment for them just to admit that they had done wrong.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CATHERINE: I think you can see I'm visibly confused. And I originally thought that Dean Eramo's interview, that in her interview she was conveying her personal opinions. But now that I've had time to reflect I think she was revealing the university's bad policy. And I think the general feeling is those seven individuals need to be brought to justice.

But I also think the administration is doing a lot right now. And I think that while, you know, Teresa Sullivan just suspended fraternities which I think, you know, it is important to note there are I believe 87 schools under investigation for violating Title IX and half don't have Greek systems. So, this is not a Greek problem and this is not a UVA problem. But I think it shows she's taking this seriously.

(END VIDEO CLI)

WHITFIELD: Coming up, we'll talk to a former dean of students at the university of Virginia.

Up next as more protests breakout in Ferguson, we'll get a unique perspective. One woman who was trying to raise an African American son and also married to a police officer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: In just a few hours, a protest march will start in Ferguson, Missouri and for the next seven days protesters will walk to the state capital in Jefferson City, Missouri. It's just the latest way people expressing their outrage over the grand jury decision on the Michael Brown shooting not to indict the police officer that shot the teenager.

So, talk more about Ferguson and Michael Brown, I want to bring in Safiya Jafari Simmons. She's the CEO and strategist for SJS Consulting, and she also brings a unique perspective to this.

Because, Sofia, you are a mom raising an African American son and happen to be married to a police officer there in Washington, D.C.

So, take me back to when all of this unfolded about this shooting of this young man Michael brown by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson. What came to mind first? Were you thinking at about your husband, the police officer or your son?

SAFIYA JAFARI SIMMONS, CEO & CHIEF STRATEGIST, SJS CONSULTING: You know what? I don't think that I can separate the two. I think initially you mourn with Michael brown's family and his parent because it is a tragedy and there is a loss of life that can't be reversed. There is no amount of protest or anger that can reverse that.

But having my husband be a law enforcement officer, that feeling of despair and feeling of utter loss is quickly followed with an understanding of how police officers sometimes process incidents like that and how that sometimes gets lost when there is such a national outcry for the victim. I just felt very strongly that as we talk about how any good can come out of this loss, it is very important that we don't lose sight of the fact that law enforcement official, police officers, first responders have agency. They have individuals who are not a member of a monolithic organization and I think it's really critically important that be a part of the conversation if we're going too use this as an opportunity to strengthen relationships between communities of color in particular and law enforcement.

WHITFIELD: You wrote an essay for CNN.com and you really talk about feeling conflicted however, because in it you deal a time in which your husband, whose black, and whose a police officer. You all were pulled over for a traffic violation. And how he even gave instructions as to how to react and respond so that the police officer that was responding wouldn't take your motions the wrong way.

Explain what happened and how that really does, I guess help underscore that conflict that you are feeling.

SIMMONS: Sure. I shared in the editorial that, you know, we were returning from an event at my children's school, coming home, racing to relieve the baby sitter and we got pulled over for speeding. And it was on a dark wooded parkway in Virginia. And I'm from Richmond so I know some of the roads well. And as soon as we pulled over, as my husband was even motioning to pull the car over, he immediately said go ahead, you know, get out the insurance card. Make sure we have our registration.

He pulled over. He turned the car off. He turned off all the interior lights. He put his hands on the steering wheel. And he said, OK, the officer is going to come up. Leaf your hand in your lap and don't make any sudden movements.

And I have to say of all the support I've gotten, all of the emails and support it's been overwhelmingly positive, much of the feedback has been people describe themselves as white, some law enforcement officers saying, you know, what your husband told you to do is just good advice, it's just good advice when engaging law enforcement.

And I would counter that yes it is good advice and it is also possible my husband knew what would deescalate or cause to not escalate the interaction. But it loses sight of my husband's experience even as a police officer is from within brown skin and because of a nation we live in, that is something that you cannot ever take off or not have as a filter.

WHITFIELD: And so, that was interesting, too, Safiya, because -- you know, you just mention that there isn't -- you know, police are not from one monolithic -- you know, this monolithic organization. They don't all act the same, et cetera.

However, when you talk to a number of people who talk about the relationship between the black community, many black communities and police there is almost a monolithic feeling of distrust that so many black people will say they don't feel comfortable nor do they really feel like they can trust the police.

So, your husband is a police officer in Washington, D.C., you're raising your son, what do you and your husband tell your son about how he should confront or behave or interact with police, aside from his dad, but if he were stopped as he grows up or if he encounters -- what's the lesson? What do you convey to him so that he is safe, comfortable, so that he can trust? What's your message?

SIMMONS: You know, the irony for me at least in this entire situation is that what I feel is happening is that a community that has fought very long and hard to not be generalized, to not be stereotyped, to not be judged and equated to be the same is inflicting that same treatment on the community of law enforcement officials.

And so all though my children are very young, we have a five-year-old, a four-year-old and my son is two, we still raise our children to know that police officers are good. They are your help. They are your resources in time of crisis.

But we also know that that we need to teach them to be smart. We need to teach them to be respectful of authority. We need to teach them that you in many ways are in control how your engagement with law enforcement plays out.

And it's a very difficult conversation, it's a very fine line, but it is important I think. It is important because we are raising children that we hope will respect law enforcement, will respect the work that their father does.

But more than that will see themselves as agents of change with the ability to help mend in some ways these misconceptions that folks have.

WHITFIELD: And then quickly, Safiya, your son is two, at what age will you have that conversation with him?

SIMMONS: You know what? My husband and I have talked about this a lot. I think it has to happen much sooner than later. It will probably be somewhere around 7 or 8 and we'll have to have that conversation in a way where it is relevant and accessible for a young man.

WHITFIELD: All right, we'll leave it right there. All the best to you and your family. Safiya Jafari Simmons from Washington, D.C., thanks so much. And we'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, the indefinite suspension of NFL running back, Ray Rice is over. He can play as soon as a team signs him. Former U.S. District Judge Barbara Jones ruled Commissioner Roger Goodell abused his discretion when he increased Rice's suspension from two games to indefinite for punching his now wife, Janay.

Joining me right now is CNN commentator, LZ Granderson, and Keith Reed, former senior editor at ESPN, the magazine. Good to see both of you, Gentlemen.

All right, Keith, you first. OK, so how big a hit is this to the NFL and maybe Roger Goodell for that matter?

KEITH REED, SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: It's pretty big rebuke for Roger Goodell, right? I mean, the judge if you read the 17-page decision, she essentially says that Roger Goodell was just not credible.

She stopped short of calling him a liar, but she says she just does not believe any of the rationales that Roger Goodell gave for leveeing the second indefinite suspension of Ray Rice. That's a pretty huge blow to the man's credibility I would say.

WHITFIELD: And so, LZ, not credible, Roger Goodell, if that is what the judge is saying, what does that do to his job and perhaps his future as the commissioner?

LZ GRANDERSON, CNN COMMENTATOR: Probably nothing. And the reason I say this is because this is not the first arrest for domestic violence or the first sort of public relations snafu that Roger Goodell has endured in his tenure and he remains mainly because he's been very profitable for the NFL.

And until that changes, I don't see any reasons for the owners to be motivated to have him removed or have him remove or demand that he resigns. When you start seeing major advertisers pull out, when you start seeing a huge hit in Super Bowl numbers and the money around that then perhaps, but until then, no way.

WHITFIELD: All right, here is the NFL statement. Brian McCarthy, NFL, vice president for corporate communications is saying this, quote, "Judge Jones ruling underscores the urgency of our work to develop and implement a clear fair and comprehensive new personal conduct policy.

So LZ, is that the answer until there is that kind of financial, I guess, hit that the league could take from advertisers, Super Bowl, all that that you just mentioned?

GRANDERSON: Well, the only way in my opinion that the NFL is really going to look as if they are taking this situation seriously is that when they begin looking at this policy not as just something that impacts the players, but something that impacts everyone who works with the NFL.

We know that there have been incidents involving owners who have broken the law. We know there are other layers of the executives who have broken the law, referees, coaches who have had run ins with authorities.

So until you start seeing the (inaudible) not just players who are in front of cameras, but the entire organization in general. I think we should always question whether or not the NFL is serious about this issue.

WHITFIELD: So it is a look the other way problem. Keith, how deeply embedded is that?

REED: It's very significant. And I'm glad you put it that way, said it is a look the other way problem. Remember at the heart of this issue was the fact that the NFL came back with a punishment for Ray Rice that was very short, it was only two weeks, right?

And this was their way of bearing the problem. Ray Rice was only suspended indefinitely not because the NFL was concern about their employees, not because they were concerned about Janay Rice, not because they were concerned about the many women fans that they have.

They levied that second suspension for damage control because they were taking hits from guys like me and guys like LZ and the media on programs like this. So the NFL really needs to show that it is about to get serious about domestic violence in some systemic way.

But not just with a punishment here, but with really having some serious programs to deal with their players and executives and owners at every level.

WHITFIELD: So Ray Rice is now a free agent. Anyone can pick him up if they want to. The Ravens is not going to do that. They just let him go. So LZ, we've heard from Janay a little bit today. People will hear from her later on in the week because of another network's interview.

But what do you want to hear from Ray Rice? What does another prospective team need to hear from Ray Rice before they were to pick him up?

GRANDERSON: They need to hear remorse. You know, his productivity was down last year before this incident in 2013 in large part because he suffered a hip flexor injury. But the last four seasons prior to that Ray Rice was one of the most productive running backs in the league.

So believe me there are teams who are suffering at tailback who are looking at this and what they want to hear from him is a layer of remorse. I don't think that he won't be back this year, but he definitely will be back the following season if he shows that remorse.

WHITFIELD: All right, Keith, really quick, less than 10 seconds, what do you want to hear from Ray Rice?

REED: Yes. I think he's going to have a little more of a road to redemption. I think he's going to have to take the same path to say a Michael Vick. He is going to be very not just contrite.

But very, very public about his contrition and work on that issue and show that he's changed and be an advocate on behalf of these victims of domestic violence in order to get back into the NFL.

WHITFIELD: All right, Keith Reed, LZ Granderson, always good to see you, Gentlemen. Thanks so much.

GRANDERSON: Thank you.

REED: Thank you. WHITFIELD: All right, perhaps you are heading to the movies this weekend. That is what people do Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Guess what? We have a look at some of the ones that are actually -- at least according to one of our favorite critics -- worth your money.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: OK, lots of money here, $1.2 billion dollars. In fact that is how much people are spending on movie ticket this is year alone and you are probably heading this weekend to drop some change as well.

We've Matt Atchity is here to tell us what's worth your buck. He is the editor-in-chief of rottentomatoes.com. It's been way too long, Matt. How are you?

MATT ATCHITY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, ROTTEN TOMATOES: I know, doing great. Great to see you.

WHITFIELD: Good. All right, this is traditionally a great weekend for people to go see the movies, take the family, et cetera. You have your top five picks. Number five, an animated film, "Big Hero 6." Is this for the whole family to enjoy?

ATCHITY: This is a loose adaptation of the Marvel comic. It is animated and from Disney, and it's a fantastic film. Go super hero story set in the city of San Francoskyo, which is kind of a mix of Tokyo and San Francisco, a really neat film and a lot of fun.

WHITFIELD: Cute. Number four, "Imitation Game," a true story.

ATCHITY: Yes. This is based on the story of Alan Toring. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the man who helped break the German codes that were used in World War II and what kind of what happened to him. Afterwards, a lot of people think that we're going to see an Oscar performance nomination from this one.

WHITFIELD: That may be the adult movie. Leave the kids home with the baby sitter. All right, number three, "Whiplash."

ATCHITY: "Whiplash" is one of my favorites. This is one that's absolutely not for children. This is a movie for grownups. Fantastic performances from Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons. I don't want to tell you too much, but this is one of my favorite movies of the year and a must-see in my opinion.

WHITFIELD: OK, number two, another animated film, "Penguins of Madagascar."

ATCHITY: Yes, "Penguins of Madagascar, this is a spinoff of the Madagascar series about the secret agent penguins. This is another performance from Benedict Cumberbatch who does one of the voices here as does John Malkovich. This movie is hilarious. My 11-year-old and I loved it. We laughed our behinds off. This is another good one to take the kids too. WHITFIELD: Yes, you knew they were going to get their own little thing because the penguins stole show in each of the Madagascar flicks. And number one, yet another "Hunger Games" film, "Mockingjay Part One." Did you like?

ATCHITY: I did like this one. This one is really good and it's a must-see because everyone in the country is talking about it and everyone is going to see it. So this continues to be good adaptation of the source material. Great cast and great performance from Jennifer Lawrence. Really exciting film, can't wait for the second one.

WHITFIELD: All right, all good stuff. Heading to the movie this weekend. Matt Atchity, thanks so much. Happy holiday weekend.

ATCHITY: Thanks. Thanks for having me.

WHITFIELD: I appreciate it. All right, coming up, fuel prices might be falling, but that doesn't mean your plane ticket is going to be any cheaper. Darn. Why air fares are actually on the rise?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: We are in one of the busiest travel times of the year. If you haven't booked your December holiday plane ticket guess what? You may be in for a bit of a sticker shocker. One would imagine with falling oil prices, fares would be dropping.

Well, CNN Money's Cristine Alesci explains why that is not the case.

CRISTINA ALESCI, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. Oil prices have been plunging. You are seeing it at the gas pump, in your heating bill. But it's not showing up in your airfare. Ticket prices keep rising, up 3 percent this year, even though jet fuel is down 18 percent since August.

And that's the biggest expense for any airline. So why do ticket prices keep going up, because people keep traveling. Why lower prices when demand is high? About 85 percent of seats have been filled so far this year. That's a record.

So essentially, you are paying for a more crowded plane. Now, passengers around happy about that, but investors are loving this dynamic. Southwest is the best performing stock in the S&P 500 so far this year. It's more than doubled.

Delta, American Airlines and United Continental also very bid winners on Wall Street. So for now, those guys are pocketing the profits and watching shares soar -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Cristina, thanks so much. Still ahead, the one story out of Ferguson you probably have not heard yet.

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WHITFIELD: All right, legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi, is often quoted as having said winning isn't everything, it's the only thing. Don't tell that to the Philadelphia Eagles. They are winning. In fact they are in first place. But it's what team members are doing off the field that's turning heads. Here is Miguel Marquez.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Give me five. Give me five.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Here in Philly, meeting an Eagle up close and personal, pretty cool.

(on camera): How exciting is it to be here with the Eagles?

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: So fun. I don't really know what to say.

MARQUEZ (voice-over): Meeting two?

(On camera): Why is it so important to be here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Spend time with the kids. I think it's always something they remember, look back to, reflect on.

MARQUEZ (voice-over): Might just be better than Thanksgiving dinner.

(on camera): How much do you like the Eagles?

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: A lot.

MARQUEZ: You like them so much you pained yourself Eagle green. You are doing well there.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: My mom screams for them, and I shed a tear last night because they didn't win.

MARQUEZ (voice-over): Philadelphia's Center for Grieving Children is in a special class of Eagles's charitable work. It's one of a handful of organizations here the team has literally adopted, not just giving money, but doing whatever is needed, like building a wall and painting it. Eagles players, Benny Logan and John Darren Vause, both have a special connection.

(on camera): How important is it to be here tonight?

BENNIE LOGAN, EAGLES DEFENSE LINEMAN: It's really cool. From my background, I was in a similar situation where my mom was murdered and I went through two years of counseling. One of the coolest parts about being in the football is to do things like this, to get the opportunity to do things like this and to do things on a grand scale.

MARQUEZ (voice-over): It might not look grand, but it is, the Eagles have dedicated the team itself to ten charities for now. Part of its Eagles' Care program.

DON SMOLANSKI, EAGLES PRESIDENT: With these select nonprofits, we give a larger financial contribution, but we give more than that. We give time. We give exposure. We give our players. MARK SANCHEZ, EAGLES QUARTERBACK: I'm Mark Sanchez. This is Bennie Logan one of our defensive linemen.

MARQUEZ: Eagles quarterback humbled but since arriving he has embraced Philly and its intensive charitable program.

(on camera): And as NFL guy, you are a hero to a lot of kids, obviously.

SANCHEZ: That's a great feeling. You are there with these kids. You get to talk to them. They see you. You are high fiving, playing football with this pop warner team. That's cool.

MARQUEZ (voice-over): And another Eagle favorite, healthy food.

SANCHEZ: We are trying to tackle the problem in this city and that's food security and making sure that you guys get the right kind of nutrition, the proper nutrition to grow up and be big and strong like Bennie.

MARQUEZ: Sanchez and Logan at a garden here the team helped revitalize along with the coalition against hunger. The team built this garden at Philadelphia's Casa Del Carmen, help run a healthy food drive, even a green light food bank offering fresh vegetables for families having a tough time making ends meet.

(on camera): We are in the middle of Philadelphia.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are.

MARQUEZ: And not a great section of Philadelphia.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's true.

MARQUEZ: Why are we in the middle of a garden? What is this?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is a greenhouse at the share food program. They are growing food for local food pantries.

MARQUEZ (voice-over): Healthy food for parents like this woman, her third child a month away.

(on camera): Do you get fresh food here?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

MARQUEZ: Is that important?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

MARQUEZ: Why?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have to be healthy for my baby, my kids.

MARQUEZ: Healthy food, hunger, charity, and a beloved NFL team, all the ingredients for a perfect Thanksgiving. No pressure, Eagles. (on camera): What's it like to play on Thanksgiving. You get a lot of pressure.

SANCHEZ: Try not to run into your linemen and screw it all up, you know.

MARQUEZ: I was told to ta away from that reference.

SANCHEZ: It is a part of it and it ruined my favorite holiday.

MARQUEZ (voice-over): A reference to the infamous butt fumble of 2012, now, that is charity. Happy Thanksgiving. Miguel Marquez, CNN, Philadelphia.

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WHITFIELD: Happy Thanksgiving, indeed.