Live sports have this almost supernatural ability to bring people together after tragic events. No one could forget moments like Mike Piazza's iconic home run giving the New York Mets a 3-2 lead over the Atlanta Braves just ten after the events on 9/11. An entire country celebrated with the Met fans in Shea Stadium waving American Flags and '"We Gotta Believe" signs over their heads.
In recent years Quarterbacks have been not only taking leadership roles on the field with their teams but also with their communities, especially after natural disasters. Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August of 2005 devastating the city leaving thousands to take refuge in the Superdome. However, Hurricane Katrina had damaged the roof of the Superdome and the New Orleans Saints were forced to play their home games at the San Antonio and LSU's Tiger Stadium. During the 2005 season there were even rumors of the team permanently moving to San Antonio.
But on November 25, 2006, a year after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans the Saints returned to the Superdome with a new leader from the San Diego Chargers, Drew Brees. The team proceeded to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 23-3 in front of the sell out crowd. "We leaned on each other in so many cases," Brees said of his fellow New Orleanians. "As people are trying to rebuild their homes, rebuild their lives, they're still coming to games to cheer on the Saints because it just gives them so much energy and enthusiasm ... just this feeling that we're all in this together."
Through the Brees Dream Foundation, Drew immediately became involved in Hurricane Katrina recovery working with local charities and Operation kids to rebuild and recreate academic facilities, parks, and athletic centers for the still devastated community. Brees instantly became a fan favorite and hero amongst Saints fans and that year he leas the Saints to a NFC South Division title and finished the season with a 10-6 record. Five years later, the Saints were still in New Orleans, and dubbed "America's Team," for bringing a championship to the city, defeating the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. Drew Brees was awarded Super Bowl MVP. "When we won that Super Bowl, it was that culmination of all those ups and downs, all those hardships," he said. "[It was] just that sheer elation of, we've done it, and we've done it together.
After the devastation in Houston when Hurricane Harvey hit the US in late August of this year, teams all over the NFL are coming together. Many owners showed their support by donating to causes related to hurricane relief and the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell matched many of the donations. But much support came from local teams like the Texans. After being displaced for their final preseason game the Texans took the field to a deafening roar, many player running on the field with American and Texas state flags in hand. The team also honored first responders before the start of the game.
Twenty-two-year-old rookie quarterback for the Texans, Deshaun Watson, is not only making a strong impact on the field but also in the Houston community, Watson partnered with habitat for humanity to help furnish 176 homes in the Houston community. He also donated his paycheck from his first game in order to help three women who work in the team's cafeteria. The women had lost all of their possessions in the storm.
The check was worth just over $27,000.
And Watson is not the only Texans player to step up after tragedy struck. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, defensive end J.J. Watt started a relief fund that has raised more than $37 million to help people impacted by the storm.
You can donate to his flood relief found here: https://www.youcaring.com/victimsofhurricaneharvey-915053
These players have not only set an example for their team on the field but also set a standard of excellence in their own community showing that their leadership is just as important on the field as it is on the field.
