Tag: community outreach

Texans Wire Exclusive: HOF WR Andre Johnson partners with Crown Royal Purple Bag Project

Houston Texans Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Johnson is partnering with Crown Royal to benefit military members and their families.

Houston Texans legendary receiver Andre Johnson joked easily about the Crown Royal Rig, which has been a key feature of the Crown Royal Purple Bag Project, the latest community project that Johnson has partnered with.

“I don’t know if I’m driving an 18-wheeler. That’s too much truck for me,” Johnson told Texans Wire in an exclusive interview to discuss his partnership.

The truck is currently traveling city to city throughout the NFL season, tailgating with fans while providing an opportunity to pack purple bags filled with essentials to benefit military members and their families.

“To have the fans to be able to provide essentials for the military, even the veterans at home or military overseas,” Johnson said. “It’s a tremendous thing to be a part of,” Johnson said about the campaign.

Johnson, Houston’s first Hall of Fame honoree following his enshrinement this summer, is fondly remembered by the community for his Christmas toy giveaways and “Andre Johnson Community Days.”

His giving spirit led to his nomination in 2014 as Houston’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award candidate.

The Purple Bag Project is the latest opportunity for Johnson to serve. It will be on-site in Houston as the team debuts their H-Town Blue uniforms against the Buffalo Bills. Along with the service project for military members, Crown Royal is providing fans with exclusive merchandise and giveaways.

“There’ll be active stations for fans to be able to come on and help pack these bags for our military, veterans or you know guys that are active military right now, military overseas,” Johnson said of the campaign. “So they’ll be able to come on and there will be games, gifts, surprises and things of that nature for the fans that they could participate in.”

The Purple Bag Project also creates an opportunity for Johnson to unite the Houston community he loves with the military community he finds deep meaning in serving.

“Even not having my aunt and uncle in the miracle, I would say that’s something I’ve always paid attention to and has always meant a lot to me – people who serve our country,” Johnson said, in reference to family me.

Vice President of Crown Royal Hadley Schafer mentioned how the Crown Royal Rig was a character in itself, providing more than just a fine beverage to fans across the country.

“With the Crown Royal Rig, thousands of NFL fans across the country will give back to our invaluable military heroes,” Schafter said in a press release. “In our fourth year as the Official Whisky Sponsor of the NFL, it’s important for us to offer something extra special to the fans from our next-level tailgate to give them a chance to win tickets to Super Bowl LIX with our online sweeps!”

Fans can be on the lookout for both a fun tailgate and a service opportunity prior to Sunday’s kickoff at noon.

Will Anderson’s off-field commitment shines during USAA’s “Huddle Up for Hurricane Prep”

In a partnership with USAA, Houston Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. is helping out with Hurricane Season.

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. will be the first to admit that discussing hurricane season can be an uncharted territory of conversation. 

“Being from Georgia, I didn’t know anything about hurricanes like that because we don’t really experience them, but seeing that they’re taking matters like this to spread awareness to help the community, to help them prepare the right way to help them come up with the plan, it’s really special,” Anderson told Texans Wire in an exclusive interview earlier this month.

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The NFL’s reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year partnered with USAA and their ‘Huddle up for Hurricane Prep’ initiative to raise awareness around preparing for hurricane season in Houston.

It was an issue that instantly caught his attention after being drafted third overall out of the University of Alabama.

“It’s really the last couple of months, honestly,” Anderson said of the partnership with USAA. “Like I said, just been to see different things that happen in the state and be able to say, OK, there’s something I want to be a part of. There’s something that I think will help benefit people. That’s what I really want to do.

“I got to meet some amazing leaders of this, you know, this beautiful country, the local Coast Guard, of course, Harris County Office of Emergency and Management. To be able to be here and be able to help give back to our community, it’s really a blessing.”

Anderson, who has retired family members who served in the military, considered it an “incredible opportunity” to work with the NFL’s Official Salute to Service Partner as they were able to offer wide-ranging advice on how to prepare for the hurricane season from pets to insurance coverage.

“We just want to take the right precautions to make sure everybody prepares the right way,” he said. “They have a plan, going to the grocery store, making sure that you have a first-aid kit if anything happens because the weather can change at any moment and also make sure that we’re not leaving any pets behind, making sure you have great insurance and everything like that.”

Since arriving in Houston, Anderson has made it a mission to be impactful in the community as much as he is on the field. He’s not the only Texans rookie willing to give back to the city that selected him, either.

Last month, quarterback C.J. Stroud was seen helping clean up around the community following a massive storm that left nearly a million Houstonians without power.

 

Houston expected Anderson to be a home run hit when it moved up every aspect when they traded up nine spots last April.

It’s hard to argue that he’s delivered anything less as the rookie emerges as one of the NFL’s premier edge rushers and one of the Houston community’s faces.

Texans WR Nico Collins teams up with Boys & Girls Clubs of Houston to provide Thanksgiving meals

Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Houston to provide meals.

Nico Collins has been an avid supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Houston.

According to senior director of development Shannon Woodruff, the former 2021 third-round receiver showed initiative as soon as he became a member of the Houston Texans.

“He reached out and said he wanted to provide meals to our families, and it felt like a perfect match for this holiday season,” Woodruff said.

For Collins, partnering The Chosen Foundation to help host a Thanksgiving impact event at the the Morefield Location brought him back to humble beginnings in Birmingham, Alabama.

 

“I have sat here before; I was in their shoes,” said Collins. “I know what it feels like to go through everyday uncertainty, not knowing what the next day is going to bring, not knowing how you are going to get your next meal. So just coming out here and doing this for them, you never know what they are going through. It is wonderful to be a part of, and it is wonderful to do. I am grateful for this, and I am going to continue to do it and give back to the city as much as I can.”

While Collins handed out meals to the underserved, the subject of the Texans’ two-game winning streak wasn’t overlooked. A calf injury nixed Collins for the first time this season, but the 24-year-old is anxious to return against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11 Sunday.

“I am getting ready for this week and ready to be back out there with the fellas so we can keep this train rolling,” Collins told reporters. “We are getting ready for AZ this week and keeping our foot on the gas and continue to be great.”

The former Michigan product is having a career season with 631 yards receiving on 36 receptions and four touchdowns. Collins ranks in the top-20 in the NFL in yards after catch, averaging 17.5 yards.

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Texans legend J.J. Watt partnering to fight food insecurity in Houston

Former Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt is teaming up to fight food insecurity in the city of Houston.

J.J. Watt hasn’t exactly taken it easy since retiring.

The soon-to-be Houston Texans Ring of Honor inductee has been busy taking care of his son, Koa, alongside his wife Kealia Ohai Watt in addition to new ventures such as investing in the Burnley FC of the premier league. Despite the broad scope of these new, post-football activities, the Watts have not lost sight of Houston and how much it meant to them.

The Texans Wire was able to speak to the couple on Wednesday about their new partnership with Frito-Lay and Cheetos to help combat food insecurity in the community. According to Texas Children’s Hospital, there are 724,500 food insecure individuals in Harris County including 23.6% of children. This was an issue that spoke to both J.J. and Kealia.

“Food insecurity is a big issue in this country and certainly is here in Harris County,” Watt said. “What Frito is doing in putting these grab and go meal stations in school is giving kids an opportunity to get food, so that we can combat that.

“Then, also, we’re providing kids through GenYOUTH with flag football kits in school so that they can be active and get involved in the game. They can work on all the things like team work and discipline. Fritos, Cheetos, GenYOUTH, everyone is doing a great job and we’re excited to partner with them and play a little flag football.”

In addition to the partnership with Frito-Lay & Cheetos, the couple is hosting a flag football clinic for children in Houston with GenYOUTH. This national organization promotes healthy school communities by empowering students. Working in tandem with this organization represents another part of their efforts, as flag football kits are being donated to schools to promote a healthy lifestyle.

“It’s obviously a bunch of kids from the community and we’re gonna play some flag football and enjoy some Frito products,” Watt continued. We’re going to just have a good day. We’re back here in Houston, we’re excited to be back in Houston, we love it here and are excited to see kids in the community.”

This wasn’t a previous partnership of Watt’s from his time with the Houston Texans. However, the issue and the opportunity to make an impact spoke to him as an additional chance to help the community that watched him transform into an NFL star.

“This is new,” Watt explained. “Frito was talking to us about what they want to do to help combat food insecurity and we’re excited to be on board.”

The event today will feature the Watt’s coaching against each other and spending time with children at the event. The duo weren’t shy about how excited and competitive they were ready to be regarding the upcoming game.

“We’re going to have a little flag football,” Watt said. “I’m not 100% sure but I’m kind of hoping Kealia coaches one team and I coach the other… winner wakes up early with Koa tomorrow morning and the other gets to sleep.”

Kealia commented afterward that, despite believing in her own coaching advantage, she just hopes it doesn’t end with “a big fight on the field.”

Regardless of the couple matchup, the ultimate winner looks to be the city of Houston and how drafting Watt continues to pay dividends to the community over a decade later. Fans will be able to welcome Watt back to the city in October when the Houston Texans face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers and retire Watt’s jersey at halftime.

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Houston Texans and partners announce 2023 Inspire Change Grant

The Houston Texans and their partners have launched the 2023 Inspire Change Grant.

The Houston Texans along with ConocoPhillips, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, and Ashley announced Tuesday the 2023 Inspire Change Grant.

The grant will be used to fund programs and projects that, “create partnerships that unlock pathways to new opportunities and support social justice and racial equity efforts in Houston,” according to a statement from the Texans.

The program is in its third year, and the team and partners will award $400,000 to area nonprofits and education programs.

An advisory committee of Texans representatives and community leaders will select grant recipients in the following areas: education, criminal justice reform, workforce and economic development, community resources, relational policing, poverty alleviation, racial equity, employment, support for children with incarcerated parents, homelessness, and access to mental health support in underserved communities and schools.

Since 2021 when the grant was created, more than $800,000 has been awarded to 30 local nonprofits.

Last year, the Texans and their partners surprised recipients with their grants at a reception at NRG Stadium with Texans players, Texans Foundation vice president Hannah McNair, and Texans Legends. Throughout the year, the Texans also visited grant recipients Bo’s Place, Santa Maria Hostel and Casa de Esperanza de los Ninos, Inc.

The grant application will be available Aug. 23 through Sept. 13 at  www.HoustonTexans.com/InspireChangeGrant.

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Texans WR Randall Cobb donates $5K to Houston area charities

Houston Texans receiver Randall Cobb and his wife, Aiyda Cobb, donated $5,000 to the Houston Food Bank and also to Baby2Baby.

The Houston Texans may not have had trouble coming through in the clutch on the field in 2020, but they are finding ways to help the city in one of its greatest times of need.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, receiver Randall Cobb and his wife, Aiyda Cobb, donated $5,000 apiece to the Houston Food Bank and Baby2Baby following the events from last week’s winter storm that brought freezing temperatures to the Houston area and left citizens without power.

“As members of this community, it’s our responsibility to help our neighbors that were impacted last week, especially those individuals that are most vulnerable, like children,” Cobb said.

Cobb signed a three-year, $27 million contract in March of 2020. Through his first season with the Texans, the former Green Bay Packers 2011 second-round pick caught 38 passes for 441 yards and three touchdowns through 10 games, two of which he started.

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J.J. Watt says Houston residents have made $99 donations to his foundation

Former Texans defensive end J.J. Watt says that residents of Houston have made donations to his eponymous foundation in the amount of $99.

The city of Houston loves J.J. Watt, the greatest player in the history of the Texans franchise.

Why not? Not only did Watt provide the Texans with the best chance to win in the 2010s with impact plays on defense, earning three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in the process, but he also made an impact off the field. There is no better example than the $41.6 million Watt raised in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in August of 2017.

Watt gave his all to Houston.

In a show of respect and appreciation, Watt reported on Twitter that donations of $99 poured in to the Watt Foundation following his release from the Texans on Feb. 12.

The former 2011 first-round pick from Wisconsin may finish his NFL career in another city, but no one in Houston will be able to forget the charity and generosity he gave while with the Texans.

Texans QB Deshaun Watson pledges college scholarships for reading challenge champs

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has pledged four scholarships for kids who succeeded at his summer reading challenge.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has a penchant for coming through in the clutch and making others around him better.

Just as it is true on the football field, so is it true off of it. On Monday night, the three-time Pro Bowler surprised local children who took part in his summer reading challenge by pledging college scholarships. Initially, the kids were only supposed to win a $5,000 Ashley HomeStore shopping spree, his book “Pass It On, and get to meet Watson.

As always, No. 4 took it to another level.

“Deshaun was blown away by the kids,” Watson’s business manager at Athletes First, Bryan Burney, told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “They went to a Foot Locker and he was amazed at how selfless these kids are. They didn’t want shoes for themselves. They wanted to pick out shoes for their siblings. Deshaun, after the shopping spree, he wanted to keep up with those kids. Our foundation is still growing and Deshaun said, ‘Let’s give these kids scholarships and make sure they go to college.'”

According to Burney, Watson also got the contact information for each kid and gave them a scholarship, which was an overwhelmingly emotional moment for the parents that left some parents speechless.

Said Burney: “He made a deal with the kids. He said, ‘As long as you do a good job in school and apply yourselves, I’ll take care of your college.’ They just have to get accepted to college, get good grades and hold up their end of the bargain. It’s a great thing.”

Watson has also donated 300 copies of his book to the Boys & Girls Club of Houston. Through the reading challenge, over 1,000 kids in the Houston area read almost 5,000 books over the summer of 2020.

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ILB Dylan Cole named Texans’ 2020 Ed Block Courage Award winner

Inside linebacker Dylan Cole has been named as the Houston Texans’ 2020 Ed Block Courage Award winner.

Houston Texans inside linebacker Dylan Cole may not have had the season he wanted in 2020, but his teammates can’t forget his hard work on and off the field.

On Wednesday, Cole was named as the Texans’ 2020 Ed Block Courage Award winner, which is voted on by players and recognizes extra efforts on and off the field in addition to a player’s ability to overcome adversity.

“I am honored to be the Ed Block Courage Award recipient this year,” Cole said via statement from the Texans. “It means a lot knowing that this award is voted on by my teammates. I’ve encountered quite a few unfortunate events in my career thus far, but this award is a reminder that all my hard work to overcome it hasn’t gone unnoticed. I’d like to give a special thank you to the athletic trainers for dealing with me through it all. It’s such a blessing to know that so many meaningful people in my life have my back.”

Cole, who was named as one of the seven team captains in 2020, has been a staple of the Texans’ special teams since joining the team as an undrafted free agent from Missouri State in 2017. Cole has produced 48 combined tackles, 19 special teams tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, including a pick-six, seven pass breakups, two quarterback hits, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt in his 37 career games with Houston.

“It’s no surprise Dylan Cole was voted by his peers to be this year’s Ed Block Courage Award recipient,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said. “Dylan is a tremendous young man both on and off the field and exemplifies what it means to be a professional in this league. Every day you see firsthand how Dylan is committed to doing whatever it takes to contribute to the team’s success and that’s why he’s earned the votes of his teammates for this award.”

Last year’s Ed Block Courage Award winner was safety Justin Reid. In 2018, safety Andre Hal took home the award.

Ed Block was the longtime head athletic trainer for the Baltimore Colts, and the Courage House he helped found is a facility that provides support and quality care for abused children and their families in the Baltimore community.

Texans WR Randall Cobb starts Hurricane Laura Relief Fund

Houston Texans WR Randall Cobb is teaming up with New Orleans Saints DE Marcus Davenport to start a Hurricane Laura Relief Fund.

Houston Texans receiver Randall Cobb has a history of coming through the clutch for his teammates on the field, and the former Pro Bowler seeks to have the same impact for survivors of Hurricane Laura.

The former Green Bay Packers 2011 second-round pick announced he is teaming up with New Orleans Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport to start the Hurricane Laura Relief Fund, which will help communities across Texas and Louisiana that were affected by Hurricane Laura.

With so much unrest in the world from the COVID-19 pandemic to social unrest, Cobb and Davenport have focused on the people of Texas and Louisiana, who feel their worlds are in even more disrepair after Hurricane Laura.

For more information on how you can help Cobb and Davenport in their mission to provide aid to those affected by Laura, visit AthletesDoingGood.org or text HurricaneLaura to 76278 to donate.

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