The NFL said it canceled Thursday night’s preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans near Dallas because the Texans will be able to return to their families sooner, ESPN reported on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
Houston and other parts of southern Texas were slammed by Hurricane Harvey, which is now a tropical storm, leaving deadly floods in its wake.
People evacuate by boat from the Hurricane Harvey floodwaters in Houston, Texas Aug. 29, 2017. (Reuters/Rick Wilking)
A military helicopter and personnel rescue a stranded resident from floods caused by Tropical Storm Harvey in east Houston, Texas, on Aug. 29, 2017. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)
“At this time, the priority of our organization is getting our players, coaches, and staff back home to be reunited with their families, many of whom have been evacuated from their homes and are currently sheltered,” the Texans said in a statement. “The team feels it is imperative to get back home to help the Houston community recover from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.”
They said that Texans players will be able to get back to Houston, help out with relief efforts, and be with their families.
Texans’ GM Rick Smith said the team’s Week 1 game will be played NRG Stadium in Houston, as scheduled. “Nothing has to happen. The game is at NRG. It’s scheduled to be played in NRG, so it will be played in NRG,” he told ESPN.
Texans superstar defensive end J.J. Watt, for his part, has raised more than $6 million for flood victims.
Here’s the statement from the Texans organization:
“The Houston Texans have made the decision to travel back to Houston after local authorities have now found a safe route for the team to drive home today. The fourth preseason game scheduled for Thursday night in Dallas will be cancelled. At this time, the priority of our organization is getting our players, coaches and staff back home to be reunited with their families, many of whom have been evacuated from their homes and are currently sheltered. The team feels it is imperative to get back home to help the Houston community recover from devastation of Hurricane Harvey.
Robert, Janice, Cal and Hannah McNair will make a donation equal to the money that would have been generated from ticket sales from Thursday’s preseason game in Arlington to recovery and relief efforts.
Fans that have purchased tickets to Thursday’s game will have the option to donate the money to relief efforts or request a refund through Ticketmaster. Further details regarding refunds will be announced later today.
The Houston Texans sincerely appreciate the support shown by the Dallas Cowboys and our NFL family during this difficult time.”
