Kraft, Patriots get in on Texas hurricane relief
FOXBORO — As the devastation continues in Houston and surrounding areas, the Patriots are doing what they can to help hundreds of miles away.
As is the case across the NFL, several players on the Patriots are from Texas and near where Hurricane Harvey is causing its destruction. And the team’s connection to Houston, where it’s won two Super Bowls and have several former members now serving as coaches for the Texans, is deep.
As the storm continued yesterday, Patriots owner Robert Kraft offered to match all funds donated to the American Red Cross in support of the Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund up to $1 million.
“Houston is a special city to our family and our organization,” Kraft said in a statement. “The New England Patriots and our fans have celebrated two of our franchise’s greatest and most memorable moments in Houston . . . . Houston could not have provided more support to us during those visits, and we welcome the opportunity to provide this support when Houston needs it most. When natural disasters have impacted our country, they have always unified communities and rallied support throughout the nation. We have already heard stories of heroic rescues and strangers helping strangers in this time of need. These stories have inspired us, as we always encourage bringing communities together, building bridges and helping others. We are eager to join in these efforts and provide our support.”
Patriots coach Bill Belichick also reached out to Houston, where the coaching staff includes former Patriots Bill O’Brien, Romeo Crennel and Mike Vrabel, among others.
“I talked to some of the people in Houston that I know, some people in the Texans, talked to them,” he said. “It sounds like they’re in a pretty challenging situation, so definitely our thoughts go out to them and we expressed those and see what we can do.”
Players are coping with the tragedy as they stay in touch with family and friends back home. Less than two weeks ago, the Pats were in Houston for a preseason game with the Texans, and that weighed on some of their minds.
“It’s crazy. A couple of weeks ago we were just in Houston driving through the same streets that are underwater now,” said wide receiver Danny Amendola, who’s from The Woodlands, Texas, about an hour north of Houston. “So it’s unfortunate. Natural disasters, there’s not much we can do about it besides help all we can and that’s what we’re doing, that’s what they’re doing down there.
“I wish I could get down there and clean some stuff up, try to help. They got a strong, tight-knit community down there.”
Linebacker Elandon Roberts was 11 years old when Hurricane Rita hit Texas in 2005, so he understands firsthand what’s going on. Then, he and his family were evacuated from Port Arthur and stayed in Houston for four weeks. He didn’t get back to school for six weeks. Roberts said his parents are safe right now, but that there’s only so much he can do.
“I’m praying for everyone down there,” he said. “Just hope the best. Stuff like that, there’s nothing that you can really do about it, but what you can do right now is just pray for the area and hope they’ll be able to rescue all the people that’s trapped right now and just continue to pray because it ain’t over yet. The storm is still going on, so hopefully by Wednesday, Tuesday, it’ll be cleared up.”
As a team, the Patriots are banding together for those whose families and hometowns are affected.
“What matters more is family,” safety Duron Harmon said. “Just trying to make sure everybody’s good, talking to some guys who have played here and don’t play here anymore. Just trying to make sure everything is good because it’s a tough time for everybody in Houston right now.
“If they need to talk or just need to get away or just need somebody, you try to be there because that’s what real life is about. Football is fun and this is what we’re paid to do, but at the end of the day it’s not who we are.”