Houston Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt told officials at Santa Fe High School that he will pay funeral costs for the victims of Friday’s mass shooting, according to multiple reports.
Watt, among the most prominent professional athletes in Houston, tweeted a two-word response to the carnage: “Absolutely horrific.” But his response went beyond a tweet, with reports late Friday that he would pay for the victims’ funerals. The team confirmed Watt’s intention, according to ESPN and other outlets.
Absolutely horrific.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) May 18, 2018
The Texans released a statement after Friday’s shooting, offering “our thoughts and heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families and all those affected.”
Statement from the Houston Texans regarding the tragic events at Santa Fe High School. pic.twitter.com/JM1Gg16CRu
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 18, 2018
Other Houston athletes also weighed in on the tragedy, in what has become a numbingly familiar routine.
“We need to do better by our children,” wrote Rockets star guard Chris Paul, who told reporters that his team’s NBA playoff series against the Golden State Warriors “is minor compared to what is taking place down in Santa Fe.” The family of Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta released a statement, which read in part, “There are no words that we can say that will take the sadness of this day away or provide any deeper understanding for this senseless tragedy. These children and the teacher that were lost, their families and the entire Santa Fe community will remain heavy on our hearts and deep within our prayers today and in the days ahead.” Rockets guard Eric Gordon called it “a horrible act of violence.”
Warriors Coach Steve Kerr, who has been outspoken in his calls for gun control, tweeted Friday that “gun owners have a responsibility to store their firearms securely. The two guns used in Friday’s shooting belong to the gunman’s father, according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R).
Over 75% of school shootings start with kids having access to unsecured and/or unsupervised guns at home. Gun owners have a responsibility to store their firearms securely. We must do more to #EndFamilyFire #SantaFeHighSchool
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerr) May 19, 2018
The Astros held a moment of silence before Friday night’s game and flew the Texas state flags at half-staff. Manager A.J. Hinch offered an impassioned speech on the issue of school shootings, telling reporters he “doesn’t want to offer any more condolences” and that the rash of violence “makes me angry.”
“Lives are being lost for no real, good reason,” Hinch said Friday, via the Houston Chronicle. “There’s never a good reason. My anger is because I have kids and I can appreciate how terrible everyone has to feel … I don’t have the words. I’m here in front of a bunch of cameras trying to make people feel better when I don’t think the situation should ever happen. There’s no reason for our schools to be combat zones. And it’s turning that way.”
We send our thoughts and prayers to the families of those affected by the senseless tragedy at Santa Fe High School today. We will hold a moment of silence prior to tonight’s game and fly the Texas flags at MMP at half-staff in support and memory of the victims and their families
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 18, 2018
Prayers to the kids and families affected by today's tragedy. We need to do better by our children. #BiggerThanBasketball pic.twitter.com/CZxpMl5e6u
— Chris Paul (@CP3) May 18, 2018
Very saddened to hear about the tragic shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas. My prayers and condolences go to the students, teachers and families affected by this horrible act of violence #SantaFeHighSchool
— Eric Gordon (@TheofficialEG10) May 18, 2018
Prayers Up for Santa Fe 🙏🏽
— Carlos Correa (@TeamCJCorrea) May 18, 2018
Watt’s gesture comes several months after he was named the NFL’s 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year, the league’s top community service honor. He had launched a campaign to raise $200,000 for Hurricane Harvey relief last summer, which turned viral and eventually raised more than $37 million in three weeks.
“This award is about the inherent good that lies within humanity,” Watt said in February when he accepted the award. “It’s about the city of Houston and its ability to overcome adversity at a time when it all seemed lost. It is about the hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country and all over the world who donated to a city they may have never been to, to people that they may never meet. But they donated simply because they saw their fellow humans going through a difficult time and they wanted to help out.”
Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, who contributed $1 million to Watt’s Harvey campaign on behalf of Walmart, thanked the defensive end “for going above and beyond for the families of Santa Fe, Texas. I love you,” she wrote.
Thank you, @JJWatt for going above and beyond for the families of Santa Fe, Texas. I love you. https://t.co/y7qlg8Dsst
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 19, 2018
I'm not surprised JJ Watt's paying 4 the funerals 4 the victims of the shootings at Santa Fe High School. Ever since he got to Houston in 2011, Watt has been doing so many things in the community to help others,, including raising more than $37 million 4 Hurricane Harvey relief.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) May 19, 2018
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