Watt propels fundraising drive for flood
FRISCO — J.J. Watt contemplated the question for a moment when asked if the NFL should cancel a preseason game Thursday between the Texans and the Cowboys, considering the massive flooding in Houston.
Hours before the league shifted the Texans’ preseason finale to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the star defensive end acknowledged that there are far more important things than a game.
“I think that the most important thing right now is family and friends in the city of Houston back home, making sure that they’re safe, making sure that they’re taken care of,” Watt said.
Watt launched an online fundraising page Sunday with an initial goal of raising $200,000. When that goal was reached, he raised it to $500,000.
Now, the fund is up to over $750,000 with a goal of reaching $1 million. The total includes a $100,000 donation from Watt and $50,000 from Rockets point guard Chris Paul.
“We can’t help physically, so we’re going to help raise that money, we’re going to try to make sure that we get a jumpstart on it,” Watt said.
Watt has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
“Whether it’s $5, whether it’s $500, whatever it may be, to see so many people’s support, to see so many people send the message, spread the message, it’s incredible,” Watt said.
Relocation has feel of normal road trip
Texans general manager Rick Smith began formulating a contingency plan last week that would enable the team to relocate if Hurricane Harvey hit southeast Texas.
Smith wanted to have a plan in place in case the Texans were unable to return to Houston after Saturday night’s preseason game at New Orleans.
Because of the rain and flooding in the Houston area, the Texans came to Dallas and are practicing at The Star, the Cowboys’ facility.
Because the Texans were prepared, the move to Dallas has been like a road trip.
“One of the things you try to do in a situation like this is make it as comfortable and normal as possible,” Smith said. “We tried to have everything in place so the transition would be as seamless as possible.
“As the (New Orleans) game was wrapping up, my feeling was that if we got back to Houston and the travel party dispersed and tried to get home in such hazardous conditions, I just wasn’t comfortable with that idea, so we made the call.”
McNair family donates $1 million
Texans owners Bob and Janice McNair donated $1 million to the United Way of Houston to be used for victims of the widespread flooding that has devastated Houston.
“It’s just so distressing to see what’s happening in our city and the surrounding area,” Bob McNair said. “So many need help, and we’re fortunate to be able to help a little.”
Charlotte Jones Anderson, the Cowboys’ executive vice president and the daughter of owner Jerry Jones, said the NFL Foundation is matching the Texans’ $1 million donation.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft also pledged to match $1 million in donations to the Red Cross.
Odds and ends
The Texans have been in touch with their injured players who remain in Houston and didn’t make the trip to New Orleans. All 10, including wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, running back D’Onta Foreman and receiver Will Fuller, have been accounted for by team officials and are safe. … Rookie defensive lineman Matthew Godin suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament against the Saints and will undero seasonending surgery.