Hurricane Harvey has been ravaging the southeast United States and the Caribbean, causing much devastation and destruction in its wake. Harvey has displaced many people, destroyed numerous homes and businesses, and caused an all out panic for where it will go next. Just as well, it has caused a great disturbance in the sports world. A Texans-Cowboys preseason matchup had to be cancelled; a Houston Astros series was moved to Tropicana Field in Florida; BYU v. LSU had to be moved and a Houston-UTSA matchup was postponed. Despite the devastation, efforts persist to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Not only are non-profits like the Red Cross assisting in the efforts, but so are companies like Wal-Mart, Starbucks, and Bass Pro Shops, and AT&T. But perhaps having the biggest impact on Hurricane Harvey relief efforts are the public sports figures of the Lone Star state and across the globe who sacrifice their time and money to help those in need.

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The most prominent of these figures is Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt. Watt hosted a fundraising campaign in Houston, where much of the hurricane’s damage was felt. As of Monday evening, Watt’s campaign raised over $18 million, which is actually about $6 million more than what Watt will make as a Texan this year and about $17.8 million more than what Watt expected of his campaign. Watt has been working non-stop with his foundation, the mayor of Houston Sylvester Turner, and many other non-profits to feed, clothe, and shelter victims. He, along with his teammates and some Carroll High School football players, personally loaded boxes of supplies into the cars and temporary homes of those in need. After accomplishing the $200,000 goal Watt said of the campaign that it is  “...incredible to see so many people come together on this.” I do not think he could have imagined it would come this far, and it is an incredible thing to see.

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Numerous other sports figures have stepped up to assist Hurricane Harvey victims. Team owners, teams, athletes, and coaches alike have contributed to the cause. Cowboys’ Owner Jerry Jones pledged $3 million of his own money. Leslie Alexander, owner of the Houston Rockets, pledged $10 million. Dez Bryant and Ezekiel Elliott have given a combined $71,000. The Packers, Ravens, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Lakers have given  about $1.5 million combined. NBA stars like Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Chris Paul have all donated generously. Additionally, MLB and PGA athletes and organizations like MLB Players Association, Dodgers’ pitcher Scott Kazmier, and the PGA itself have all come forward to pledge. What they give may seems like chump change compared to what they actually make and what their net worths are, but the fact they are actually setting aside their hard-earned funds to donate makes a huge difference. Even the small $21,000 donation from Zeke Elliott means the world to those who have been negatively affected by Hurricane Harvey.

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The lengths that public figures like JJ Watt have gone to assist the victims of Harvey are virtually innumerable. Yes, there are dollars and cents values to the donations, but there are no dollars or cents attached to the efforts put forth by the volunteers who are helping to relieve the pain experienced by the victims of Harvey. The outright generosity and benevolence of those who have donated, who have sacrificed their time, and those who have motivated others to do the same cannot be measured, and it has made all the difference to those devastated by those very unfortunate circumstances.