AFC South sets aside rivalry, donates to Houston Texans and community impacted by devastating storm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After the devastating winter storm that rocked Texas, the Houston Texans’ rivals are not the AFC South’s other three teams as usual.

“Everyone in Jacksonville is a Houston fan today as we get through this together,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said.

Their normal rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans, are stepping in to help Houston recover from the shocking storm.

All three teams have come together to donate $100,000 to the Houston/Harris County 2021 Winter Storm Relief Fund.

PHOTOS: Deadly winter storm slams Texas, other parts of US

Houston Texans Chairman and CEO Cal McNair said, “I am very proud that our division and the NFL consistently act as one team with one mission — [taking] care of each other. This is part of who we are.”

The Texans are sending the funds to Houston/Harris County 2021 Winter Storm Relief Fund, which is focusing on meeting the needs of recovering families by supporting nonprofits that can help with plumbing, home repair, temporary housing and other basic daily needs.

The NFL Foundation is also matching the team’s donation, totaling $200,000 to help Houston families.

The funds will be jointly managed by the United Way of Greater Houston and the Greater Houston Community Foundation.

“Houston has endured some difficult times recently, but it always bounces back, and I am confident that will be the case again,” said Khan. “In the meantime, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the NFL Foundation and our fellow AFC South teams are here to help.”

Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay said, “While we regularly square off against our division rivals on Sundays in the fall, some things are bigger than football, and now is one of those times.”

“The Colts are happy and proud to join with the Jaguars and Titans organizations as well as the NFL Foundation to assist our NFL family in Houston that is facing enormous challenges right now. All of us here in Indianapolis are thinking of and praying for the Houston community and others throughout Texas who have been impacted,” said Irsay.

“It is an honor to join our colleagues in the AFC South and at the NFL Foundation in supporting the Houston community as they recover from the devastating effects of the winter storm,” said Amy Adams Strunk, controlling owner of the Tennessee Titans. “As a native of the area, I know the region will overcome the stunning amount of damage to families and property, and the entire Titans family is thinking of them during this difficult time.”

“As our community continues to recover from the devastating events of last week, we are grateful for the support from our AFC South family as well as the NFL Foundation,” said McNair.

For fans interested in donating relief funds for Texans, click here.

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