Texans players motivated to play season opener in Houston

The Houston Texans’ home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars faced the threat of moving because of the devastation Hurricane Harvey inflicted on Houston. Instead, the season opener will go on as planned.

Now, they have a chance to give Houston something to be happy about and cheer for.

The players know Sunday means more. Members of the team spoke on Tuesday about playing Sunday’s game. “We know it’s a hard time here in Houston right now,” Lamar Miller said. “We’re just trying to do anything to make this city proud this upcoming Sunday. And for us to do that, everybody has to do their assignment, play fast and just put on a show.”

Christian Covington described what the city’s meant to the team, and how they plan on using the devastation as motivation to uplift Houston. “To be able to finally be back in the city with this team, to be able to dedicate this season to the city of such amazing people and the countless fans who’ve been with us since day one, that’s what we need and it’s great added motivation to be able to look forward to this season.”

DeAndre Hopkins said on Monday, “Just seeing the people, hearing the stories — it’s motivating.” Hopkins and his teammates started their collective hurricane relief efforts on Sunday. “I could have stayed out there all day and did that,” Hopkins said.

Even former Texans are making sure Houston knows that they are looked out for. Vince Wilfork played just two seasons with the team, but canceled his retirement celebration in order to help those who need it.

J.J. Watt’s impact has been unbelievable. Throughout the relief efforts that have taken place since the hurricane, none have been quite as remarkable as Watt’s. He initially set a goal to raise $200,000 in relief. As of Tuesday, that reached $20 million.

“I know that there are going to be a whole bunch of people we need to help get back on their feet,” Watt said in his very first video. “I know there’s going to be a lot we need to do to help rebuild.”

The damage was extensive, but Watt’s efforts have been nothing short of heroic.

If you want to contribute, you can do so through Watt’s YouCaring campaign, and here are some other ways you can help.

Rescheduling was a close call, but it worked out for both teams. The Texans were optimistic to still play their game last week, and wanted the opportunity to play at home as long as it was safe.

“Sunday’s game, I can confirm to you, will be played here in Houston against the Jacksonville Jaguars,” O’Brien said on Monday. “(Houston Texans President) Jamey Rootes spoke with Mayor Turner and Judge Ed Emmett - obviously Bob McNair involved with that - and everyone agrees that our game will not take resources away from other parts of the city and that this game will be an opportunity to continue to bring us all together as Houstonians and as Texans.”

The fans will indeed get that chance to cheer on their team.

There’s no question that both teams are happy to have the game go on as planned. NFL schedules aren’t exactly planned with natural disasters in mind, and finding a way to either move the game elsewhere or play it at another time would have been quite the burden.

The effects of Hurricane Harvey led to the cancellation of the Texans’ preseason game against the Cowboys. Initially, the teams thought the game would be played in Arlington, but it was ultimately cancelled so the team could safely return to Houston.

Now the Texans have an opportunity to give the people of Houston something to cheer for.