The National Football League is consolidating its efforts to contribute to the disaster relief operations in Texas. An extreme flooding incident caused by the Guadalupe River’s surge afflicted Kerr County and the Texas Hill Country in the pre-dawn hours of Independence Day. Intense precipitation resulted in extensive destruction to properties and youth retreats in the area, particularly Camp Mystic, a girls-only summer camp which reported a loss of nearly 27 attendees and mentors. Authorities have verified at least 120 casualties, with over 160 individuals still missing.
As the operations for search and rescue persist, the area stands to benefit from the solidarity shown by the football clubs who announced their financial backing for the cause. The first team to step forward with their contribution were the Houston Texans, making their announcement public on July 5, Saturday, with several more organizations following throughout the week.
Subsequently, the Dallas Cowboys pledged their support for the cause, in unity with the NFL Foundation on July 6, Sunday. Each organization approved a donation of $500,000, thus amassing a combined total of $1.5 million. Other sporting leagues’ teams have also stepped in with support, intending to aid the community recuperate post the tragic events.
A total of $500,000 was promised by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation of the Atlanta Falcons on July 10. ‘As the catastrophic floods cause distress and heartbreak to a vast majority, we extend our sincere condolences and steadfast support to the people of Texas, especially those located in Texas Hill Country,’ was the organization’s official statement.
Notable team owners, including Clark Hunt of the Kansas City Chiefs, have personally stepped forward with pledges of support. Tragically, Hunt lost a young family member, Janie Hunt, aged 9, in the flood that shook Camp Mystic. On July 9, Hunt, who also happens to own the Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas, acted part of a collective that contributed $500,000 towards the recovery effort. He was joined by Austin FC, Houston Dynamo FC, and MLS in the group donation.
In a statement, Hunt shared his family’s profound grief caused by the disaster. His thoughts were with those mourning the loss of loved ones – parents who’d lost children, those who had lost friends, neighbors, and family members. Evidently moved by the tragedy, he expressed his appreciation for those coming forward to help their neighbors in this difficult time while humbly offering his support.
In a display of solidarity, the Minnesota Vikings announced their contribution of $500,000 towards the rescue and recovery operations on July 9. ‘We are in deep sorrow as we witness the persistent damage and loss of life in Texas Hill Country and empathize with the sorrow the victims are experiencing,’ stated the team’s owners, Leonard, Zygi, and Mark Wilf.
On July 6, the NFL Foundation decided to match the contributions made by the Texans and Cowboys. The foundation committed $500,000 towards rescue and recovery efforts. ‘The two National Football League teams based in Texas, the Dallas Cowboys, and Houston Texans, in unison with NFL Foundation, extend their support to the victim’s families and survivors of the disastrous floods in central Texas’, the league communicated officially.
The Dallas Cowboys disclosed their donation of $500,000 on Sunday, July 6. The team released a statement expressing their deep sorrow for the destruction and loss of life in Kerr County and Texas Hill Country, particularly the young girls from the affected camps and their families, along with all those who lost their lives in the floods.
The first NFL members to vow their support for disaster-stricken Texas were Cal, Janice, and Hannah McNair, who, on behalf of the Texans, issued a donation of $500,000. ‘While deeply saddened by the loss and damage endured by our neighbors in Texas Hill Country, the news of still missing children utterly devastates us. We sincerely hope they are swiftly reunited with their respective families. Besides this contribution, we vow to support the ongoing search, rescue, and recovery ventures in the time ahead,’ was the McNair family’s official statement.