Written by Sarah Barshop at ESPN.com
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt posted a video message and donated $100,000 to an online fundraiser that he started Sunday while Houston was being hit by flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey.
The Texans could not get back to Houston after Saturday night’s preseason game in New Orleans and flew to Dallas to wait out the storm.
Watt posted a message on social media, urging everyone in Houston to stay safe.
“I’m sitting here watching the news and checking the internet and seeing everything that’s going on with Hurricane Harvey and the damage it’s causing back home,” Watt said. “It’s very difficult. It’s very difficult not only because we have family and friends back there, some guys have young kids, some guys have wives and families.
“But that’s our city. It’s very tough to watch your city get hit by such a bad storm and not be there to help. Not be there to help with the recovery. Not be there to help with the process. It’s very tough.”
Watt upped his goal of $500,000 in funds for flood relief after raising $200,000 in two hours. Watt personally gave $100,000 to the fundraiser, tweeting the message, “Your support is phenomenal!”
The Texans will remain in Dallas on Monday and will hold practice at The Star, the Cowboys’ training facility in Frisco.
The team said no decision has been made on plans for the rest of the week or Thursday’s preseason game against the Cowboys, which is scheduled to be played at NRG Stadium. The Cowboys have offered to host the game, and the league will make the final decision on where the game will be played.
“Everybody in Houston stay safe,” Watt said. “We’re thinking about you. We’re going to come back. We’re going to help you out.”
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