J.J. Watt received a Texas-sized donation from H-E-B owner Charles Butt on Wednesday. President Scott McClelland personally delivered a check for $5 million to Watt at NRG Stadium.
"We'd like to donate this to you J.J. to help your good efforts," McClelland said. "We're so impressed that you're so committed to giving it to the end users, those who are in need and, in the spirit of sense of urgency, let's go fix this city."
The latest donation from the Texas-based grocery chain brings Watt's hurricane relief fund to nearly $27 million. Watt praised the response and resiliency of Houstonians and the worldwide support that poured in during recovery efforts.
"To Mr. Charles Butt and everybody at H-E-B, a donation of $5 million is truly incredible," Watt said. "I mean, there are no words to describe when people step to the plate like that, especially somebody here in our home city. To show that type of leadership, to show that type of commitment so I can't thank you guys enough for everything."
H-E-B also partnered with the Texans organization during the 2008 Texans Helping Texans campaign to aid those affected by Hurricane Ike.
"The H-E-B organization lives that - If you can, you must," Texans president Jamey Rootes said. "And they step up when the community's in need. He's a tremendous champion for Houston."
Watt announced that he plans to keep his online fundraiser open until Friday, September 15 at 5 p.m. After his YouCaring page is closed, Watt will determine how and where the funds are distributed.
"I'm going to make sure I do everything I can to get this money out to the people of Houston and the surrounding areas, the Gulf coast," Watt said. "I want to make sure that everybody understands that those areas that have been affected will be included: Rockport, Port Aransas, Beaumont, all those areas are included in what I'm trying to do."
HEB presents J.J. Watt with $5 million today. #HoustonStrong pic.twitter.com/IhUWuu1Lyw
Texans players and their families spent Sunday distributing 10 semi trucks worth of supplies across the greater Houston area to aid those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
