Houston Texans Career Symposium **
*The Texans will host more than 100 undergraduate students from local universities for the Third Annual *"Join the Team: Integrating Business and Sports" Career Seminar on Saturday, April 22, 2006 at Reliant Stadium. The students will take part in seminars led by guest speakers from the sports marketing, business and journalism fields. The forum will give students an opportunity to get an early jump on pursuing a career in the sports industry. For more information, please contact (832) 667-2141.
**Houston Texans Outreach Tour
**Community Relations and Public Relations assist Sales and Marketing with their annual "Houston Texans Outreach Tour". Texans players, cheerleaders and mascot TORO visited 12 cities in seven days. Sites included hospitals, schools and community centers.
**Training Camp visits for Non Profit, Community and School Groups
**We will coordinate local community groups to attend practices during the Houston Texans Training Camp, July 28 – August 17. Youth get a chance to see Texans on the practice field and play with inflatables set-up at the Texans Practice Facility. If you are interested in having your camp group or charitable organization attend a morning or afternoon practice during the 2006 Houston Texans Training Camp, please call (832) 667-2141. Space is limited and available on a first come first –served basis.
**Tackle Prostate Cancer Campaign
**The Houston Texans, The Methodist Hospital and Reliant Energy will sponsor the Tackle Prostate Cancer Campaign, during the month of June. The purpose of the campaign is to heighten awareness that early detection and treatment can lead to complete recovery of the cancer. The promotion will consist of free prostate cancer screenings, public service announcements and stadium mentions. Last year, over 15,000 prostate cancer trading cards, which featured LB Antwan Peek, were distributed to the public at Reliant Stadium and Methodist Hospital sites. The free prostate cancer screenings will take place at Reliant Center during June 2006. Please contact 832-667-5864 for additional information.
**Girls…Get in the Game!
**Girls…Get in the Game! is a one-day sports camp for middle school girls (ages 9-14) that introduces them to a variety of sports, including cheerleading, volleyball, football, basketball and soccer. The program also focuses on physical fitness, nutrition, positive self-esteem and personal achievement. The program is coordinated by the Lady Texans, the players' wives association, the Player Development Department and the Community Relations Department. Please contact (832) 667-2141 for more information.
Houston Texans Blood Drive
The Houston Texans will conduct their 5 th Annual Blood Drive with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, the Methodist Hospital and Reliant Energy. The blood drive will benefit local hospitals and health facilities in Houston. The 12- hour event will be held at Reliant Stadium and several Methodist Hospital locations. Houston Texans players, cheerleaders, TORO and local celebrities will be on hand to thank donors for their participation. In 2005, the drive collected close to 1,700 pints.
**Teach for America
**Teach for America Week is an annual nationwide event in which American leaders from all professions spend an hour of their time teaching children from some of our nation's lowest income communities. Houston Texans Players and front office executives take time out of their schedules to teach compelling and effective lessons that provide inspiration for students to pursue educational opportunities.
**NFL H.S. Tuesday
**Players are requested to participate in this NFL program by going to high schools to give motivational talks to athletes. During these visits, players interact with high school athletes and help them understand that many life lessons learned in football are applicable in their everyday lives. Players give talks focusing on obtaining an education, how to live healthy lives and goal setting.
NFL Hometown Huddle
The Houston Texans and United Way will sponsor "Hometown Huddle." This event is a partnership between by NFL teams on a designated day and involves players participating in a community service activity with a United Way Agency.**
*Walter Payton-NFL Man of the Year Award *The Walter Payton –NFL Man of the Year Award is the only League-sponsored award honoring players who excel in service within the community as well as on the field. Established in 1970, this prestigious NFL award was created to recognize the commitment of NFL players to community service. Texans WR Andre Johnson was recognized as the 2005 NFL Walter Payton /Houston Texans Man of the Year.
Thanksgiving DinnerSeveral Houston Texans players serve a pre-thanksgiving dinner to youth at a local Boys and Girls Club where a Kids Café is located, a shelter or other non-profit facilities. This holiday event allows players to get close and personal with individuals and families associated with the selected organization.
Shop with the Texans
In 2005 the Texans Corporate Development Department and Community Relations Department partnered with Academy Sports & Outdoors for a holiday shopping spree for children from the Houston Area Women's Center and Child Protective Services. The children were given a $100 gift card while Texans players and cheerleaders assisted them in making their holiday gift purchases.
Holiday Lunch with the Texans
Amazon Grill, a Cordua Restaurant, co-sponsored the Holiday Lunch with the Texans Corporate Development and CR departments in 2005. Youth from Our Girls, Inc., a residential facility for at-risk teenage girls, and Incentive's, a youth group that works with at-risk teenage boys, dined with a group of Texans players, cheerleaders and TORO. The youngsters were able to have their photos taken with the Texans crew who signed autographs and passed out Texans memorabilia and goodie bags.
Hospital Visits
Throughout the year, Houston Texans players make routine hospital visits in local hospitals to spread cheer and uplift the morale of patients. The players spend time signing autographs and distributing team memorabilia. Texans players visited a rehabilitation facility and a veteran health center as well.
Black History Program
Houston Texans players speak to high school students about the importance of commemorating Black History Month, as well as preparing for a successful career by going to school. The emphasis of this program is on the importance of depending on education rather than just athletic ability.
Fort Hood
During the Houston Texans 2005 Outreach Tour, players, cheerleaders and TORO visited men and women stationed at Ft. Hood in Killeen, TX. Players enjoyed interacting with Military personnel and their families to help lift morale of the soldiers, many who had just returned from Iraq.
In Addition: Some of the other Houston area organizations the Texans have assisted include The American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, The Children's Assessment Center, Chinese Community Center, Hispanic/Chicano Family Services Center, Houston Area Women's Center, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, I Have A Dream-Houston, Special Olympics and Star of Hope Mission.
