Everyone across the country is stepping in to help out the city of Houston after being battered by Hurricane Harvey, and that includes players, teams and leagues from across the world of sports.
The NBA and NBAPA announced that they would be giving $1 million to the city in a tweet:
NBA on Twitter
Joint Statement from the NBA & NBPA re: Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts:
The Rockets have jumped in as well, both as a team and through the actions of their team owner, Leslie Alexander. Alexander has pledged $10 million to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund started by Houston mayor Sylvester Turner, which is an increase of $6 million from his original pledge on Monday.
The team will be selling the “Houston Strong” shirts by Fanatics, with 100% of the proceeds going towards the aforementioned Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.
Houston Rockets on Twitter
Show your support in this “Houston Strong” t-shirt. 100% of proceeds go to Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. https://t.co/M8rt8E9pv7
JJ Watt, The Houston Texans All-World defensive end, has already been working the phones and social media to generate money for hurricane relief, and he has raised $12 million to date. Considering his original goal was $200,000, it can safely be said that Watt is a major force both on and off the field.
JJ Watt on Twitter
12 MILLION!!! https://t.co/SR6DmnNbyM
His team’s owner, Bob McNair, is not letting JJ do all of the work, announcing that he is giving $1 million to the United Way of Greater Houston Flood Relief Fund, and the NFL has announced that they would match McNair’s donation.
The Houston Astros have pledged $4 million and have announced that, through a partnership with MLB, they would be donating basically all of the revenue from this weekend’s game against the Rangers to relief efforts.
#AstrosHarvey on Twitter
We’ve partnered with MLB to donate all ticket, concessions and parking revenue from this series vs. the Rangers to hurricane relief efforts:
From further north came words from Cowboys’ star Ezekiel Elliott, who wasn’t going to let his suspension hearing prevent him from helping out.
Hey Cowboys nation. No matter what team you’re rooting for, we’re all rooting for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. That’s why I’m donating $21,000 to The Salvation Army to support victims of this disaster. And I challenge my friends and all of Cowboys nation to join me in this fight. It doesn’t matter how much you can give, whether it’s $21, or $210, or $21,000 – 100% of all donations will go directly to food, shelter, and other relief efforts. And I’d like to personally challenge @_4dak , @dezbryant and @realdeal2_83 to join the fight by making a significant contribution at helpsalvationarmy.org. #harvey2017 #cowboys #cowboysnation #hurricaneharvey #harveyrelief #doingthemostgood #salvationarmy
184.5k Likes, 1,594 Comments – Ezekiel Elliott (@ezekielelliott) on Instagram: “Hey Cowboys nation. No matter what team you’re rooting for, we’re all rooting for those affected by…”
The University of Houston has jumped in to help after head basketball coach, Kelvin Sampson, encouraged the basketball community to support the relief efforts.
Todd Whitting on Twitter
A request to our baseball community around the country. #HoustonStrong
Some roots run deep, and help from the state of Tennessee in the form of the Titans (once known as the Houston Oilers), proves that while teams might move, they never forget, especially when help is needed.
Tennessee Titans on Twitter
Titans Owner Amy Adams Strunk makes million dollar donation to @JJWatt’s Houston Flood Relief Fund #HoustonStrong {https://t.co/XsZjKZQzci}
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Leonard Flournette pledged to help out. He holds a special place in his heart for flood victims and can relate to the devastation Houston residents are facing as he’s from New Orleans and lived through Hurricane Katrina when he was 10 years old.
7 Leonard Fournette on Twitter
Donating 50,000 to the people in Houston, y’all are in my prayers, we went through Katrina we know the feeling God bless…..
Other names from the world of sports have joined in the effort to help people and communities in need in the Houston area. Even The Rock took a moment from his workout to pledge his support.
Stay strong Houston and hold onto faith. Me and my family know what you’re going thru. We survived the eye of Andrew and became stronger – so will you. All my love and strength. * Link in my bio in you can donate a buck or two to our Houston families in need.
1.3m Likes, 10.7k Comments – @therock on Instagram: “Stay strong Houston and hold onto faith. Me and my family know what you’re going thru. We survived…”
The list of names will continue to grow, proving that the world of sports has a big heart and, no matter how much money they have or how people might perceive them to be, at the end of the day they’re all human and will be there in times of need.
