A Texas (American) Hero - JJ Watt

The final numbers are in on J.J. Watt's Relief Fund ... and they're awesome.

A post shared by espn (@espn) on Sep 15, 2017 at 5:32pm PDT

Hurricane Harvey has been a fairly constant posting topic for this blog the last couple of weeks. A while ago, for a Wacky Wednesday, I posted a link to JJ Watt's crowdfund to support victims of Hurricane Harvey.  As of the closing of the program more than $37 million has been raised! Not bad for something that started with a goal of $200k.


I am amazed by the outpouring but also amazed by the man JJ Watt. He didn't JUST create a YouCaring page and post some social media. He's an active participant in recovery actions. He's been onsite distributing relief packages with other members of the Houston Texans, filled a warehouse with supplies, and even coordinated trucks and rescue efforts from afar over the phone. The funny thing is that he isn't doing this for the publicity. He is genuinely a good guy and is a shining example of how our heroes should behave. An idolized sports figure who gives back to the community, rather than a player who gets arrested at clubs or beats women. What an ideal to live up to! I hope many more people follow his lead.

Now he didn't do this alone. Other people helped and donated, like:

Arnold Schwarzenegger:

I love what you're doing for Houston @JJWatt, so I'm sending some of my money. It's time to raise the goal again! https://t.co/8rLyMGJD1b pic.twitter.com/Si28uky3MN

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) September 1, 2017

Ellen Degeneres:

Jimmy Fallon:

HEB CEO Charles Butt (represented by Scott McClelland):

and the list goes on. Here is the man himself talking about it:

A Message From @JJWatt : pic.twitter.com/OuDHB36vNE

— JJ Watt Foundation (@JJWFoundation) September 13, 2017