Slideshow Photos: National Guard | Cover photo: Wikimedia Commons
Amidst the devastation left behind by Hurricane Harvey, the sports world is playing a leading role in providing relief efforts to those directly affected.
Led by Houston Texans defensive tackle, J.J. Watt, athletes around the country are using their platform to help and encourage others to aid hurricane victims as they continue to recover from unprecedented flooding. On August 27, Watt posted a video on social media announcing a fundraising effort to raise $1 million — instead, he raised $3 million in just two days. As of Wednesday, that number grew to $6 million and his new goal is $10 million.
Earlier in the week, Watt was the subject of headlines after he called for Thursday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys to be cancelled so that efforts could instead be shifted to providing aid to those in need in Houston.
The game was moved from Houston to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and game proceeds were to be donated to the United Way of Greater Houston Relief Fund, the fund supports the Red Cross and The Salvation Army.
Recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey will be massive.
We must come together to help rebuild our communities.https://t.co/SR6DmnNbyM pic.twitter.com/iiMsG2i4dl— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) August 27, 2017
On Wednesday, the game was officially cancelled so that the Texans could return home to be with and help their families. The cancellation of Thursday’s game between the Cowboys and Texans signaled to everyone that sports were taking a backseat to what truly matters, helping others.
Sports are a multi-billion dollar industry, filled with athletes who make millions of dollars. Whether we agree or not, athletes are leaders. They influence others and J.J. Watt understood that. His willingness and determination to be outspoken about what he believed in influenced others to donate and support relief efforts.
After Watt many others athletes and their fans followed suit.
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott pledged $21,000 to the Salvation Army, challenging quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver Dez Bryant and Cowboys fans to join him. Bryant responded with $50,000 to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. Jaylon Smith told 97.9 The Beat he’d also be joining the donation efforts. Jason Witten is auctioning off his 12-seat Personal Hall of Fame Suite at the AT&T Stadium to benefit his SCORE Foundation in support of the Houston Area Women’s Center.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has donated $100,000 to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders raised nearly $110,000 in two hours. The NFL has donated $1 million. Texans owner Bob McNair has pledged a $1 million donation to the United Way’s relief efforts.
The NBA and National Basketball Players Association each pledged $1 million in donations. The Houston Rockets pledged $10 million to Harvey victims. Rockets guard Chris Paul donated $50,000 of his own money.
The list goes on.
In a time of need, despite everything else that is wrong in the world, the sports world is leading the charge to help make things right again.
Each day, millions of fans are drawn to stadiums and arenas across the country, pouring their hard earned money into something that means so much to them. But, why?
Because in the end, sports builds character. Especially in a time of need.
The sports world is showing its true character. In a world of things “expected,” athletes are “expected” to donate because, yes, they make millions. But it’s important to step back and appreciate those who have the means to help others in times of need.
We should not take it for granted. I know the City of Houston isn’t.
Way to Help via Forbes.com
- American Red Cross. To make a financial donation, visit the their website, call 1.800.RED CROSS or text HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation for those in need.
- Catholic Charities of USA. To make a financial donation, visit CCUSA’s disaster-specific website or text 71777 to make a donation.
- Donors Choose has a fundraising campaign earmarked specifically for classrooms affected by Harvey. To donate or find out more, click here.
- Global Giving. To make a financial donation, visit their website or text HARVEY to 80100 to donate $10 to Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.
- Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund that will accept tax deductible donations. The fund is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. To make a financial donation, visit the GHCF website.
- Salvation Army. To make a financial donation, visit www.helpsalvationarmy.org, call 1.800.SAL ARMY, or text STORM to 51555.
- Save the Children opened a child-friendly space in San Antonio and will open additional spaces in the coming days; these are safe, well-supervised areas within shelters where children can play, socialize and begin to recover from the disaster. To support Save the Children’s response efforts, visit their website or text Hurricane to 20222 to donate $25 to the Hurricane Harvey Children’s Relief Fund.
- United Way of Greater Houston has established a Flood Relief Fund to help with recovery needs of those most impacted. To give to the United Way Flood Relief Fund, visit unitedwayhouston.org/flood or text UWFLOOD to 41444.
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