In Gary, Indiana last week, a 14-year old named Curtis Walton, Junior died in an accidental drowning.

Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson, Junior, who grew up in Gary, has offered to pay for Walton's funeral.

"I just wanted to help out, any way I could," Johnson said on Friday in the Texans locker room. "That's my goal: to bring life back to the city and give back to my city."

Walton, who played football at Calumet High School, was found unresponsive at the bottom of the school's swimming pool around 6 p.m. on September 11. He was pronounced dead in the early morning hours of September 12. Walton, who played football for Calumet, and his teammates had gone to the pool to cool off after Wednesday's practice.

Johnson hear about the boy's death via social media, and reached out to his family. He was able to speak with Walton's mother.

"She's very strong," Johnson said. "I can hear it in her voice. I know how a parent is when they lose a child. She's very thankful."

Johnson experienced similar hardship in his high school days as well. He lost a close friend, who was just 15-years old, to a shooting death.

"I dealt with the pain before, so I know what it's like to lose somebody close to you," Johnson said. "I just wanted to help out. I've got that platform, so I can do that now."

Johnson and the Texans face the Chargers on Sunday in Carson, California.