Next man up in relief effort
Watt spearheads team’s help for Harvey victims
J.J. Watt stood in front of the microphone across the street from NRG Stadium, eager to execute a plan built around goodwill to his neighbors.
The Texans’ defensive end couldn’t wait to hand out supplies Sunday to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
Watt, teammates, family, friends, Texans team officials and volunteers fanned out around Houston with 10 packed trucks to distribute bottled water, diapers, food, pet supplies and cleaning products.
“The devastation is incredible,” Watt said. “The inspiration of the people is even more incredible.”
Following a brief news conference in a parking lot, Watt and his teammates spread out. They visited North Main Church of God in Christ in Independence Heights along with the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center in Meyerland, Carroll Academy and Christian Tabernacle Church.
Watt and his teammates, including receiver DeAndre Hopkins, quarterback Tom Savage, linebacker Whitney Mercilus, guard Jeff Allen, running back Lamar Miller and safety Corey Moore lent a helping hand. They did so without having to tap into the $18 million in donations to the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year’s online fundraising for relief.
“One of the most important things is not a single dollar has been spent yet,” Watt said. “All 10 trucks are filled with goods that were donated. These are all volunteers. So, we haven’t even spent a single cent yet and we’re already going out and making a big impact.”
Watt and his teammates were displaced from Houston after the storm hit. They practiced for a few days at the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility in Frisco before returning home Wednesday when their preseason game against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium was canceled because the players and coaches wanted to return to their families.
Giving back to people
Now, the Texans are helping those affected by a historic storm that caused flooding, at least 50 deaths and property damage.
“This community has meant so much to us,” Watt said. “They’ve supported us. They fill that stadium. They’ve shown us love. When they need us the most, when the city is down — this is our city — we want to be there for them and show them how much we care and how much we appreciate them.”
Head trainer Geoff Kaplan and his family had to be rescued from the flooding that engulfed their home.
Kaplan was handing out bottled water in Meyerland on Sunday and said his family is fine.
When Texans specialteams ace Brian Peters returned to his flooded home in Bellaire, he was hit with the stench of rot and mildew. His home was flooded with roughly 3 feet of water, damaging his furniture, appliances and other possessions.
Peters’ landlord tried to salvage the situation by placing the linebacker’s furniture on cinder blocks, managing to save the inside linebacker’s computer.
And Peters’ teammates, including tight end Ryan Griffin, linebackers Shakeel Rashad and Eric Lee, fullback Jay Prosch and center Greg Mancz helped.
“The first thing that impacts you is the smell when you walk in the house,” Peters said. “My teammates came to my rescue. I had five guys move out the water-logged furniture and ended up helping some of my neighbors, too.
“My landlord out of the kindness of his heart — I didn’t prepare for the hurricane at all because were in New Orleans — came over and put all the furniture on blocks. He saved a lot of my stuff, especially my computer, which was really the only priceless thing in that mess. It’s just the kindness of strangers.”
Countless tragedies
Peters emphasized that his personal story of woe doesn’t compare to the tragedies many others have endured. He was happy to hand out bottles of water, miniature footballs and food Sunday to those impacted.
“We’ve got a great team and great community service and player development department,” Peters said. “What J.J. done is way too much along with the generosity of millions of people. It’s what you do when people are hurting. Everybody is hurting. A lot of people were hit way harder than I was.”