Watt raises $41.6m for Hurricane Harvey

Houston Texans star J.J. Watt said Monday that he has distributed the $41.6 million his foundation raised to help rebuild the Texas Gulf Coast after Hurricane Harvey.

An online fundraiser Watt launched after the storm hit Texas last year went viral and far exceeded his original goal of raising $200,000.

“It’s incredible to see just the generosity of strangers and what it’s able to do and what it’s able to accomplish, and the fact that that’s just year one,” Watt said. “We still have more to do and we still have a lot going on moving forward.”

Watt routed the money to eight groups actively involved in Texas’ rebuilding and recovery. According to the Texans, the funds have already been used to clean up and rebuild more than 600 homes, distribute more than 26 million meals and provide health care to more than 6,500 people.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has dealt with serious injuries in each of the last two seasons, playing just eight games combined in 2016-17, though he’s back and healthy now. He said working on this project and seeing how people came together to help others in such a huge time of need was good for him.

“As you look back on it, you really understand how incredible it really was and how thankful that I am for so many people to help out and to be willing to help out,” Watt said.