Texans veteran safety Justin Reid was named the NFL Players Association Community MVP for his efforts in a Hurricane Ida relief drive benefiting his home state of Louisiana as the Ascension Parish native raised $10,000 and filled up two 18-wheeler trucks with donated supplies.
Reid and teammates Jeff Driskel, Lonnie Johnson Jr., Whitney Mercilus, Derek Rivers and Max Scharping, Texans ambassador Chester Pitts, who donated a U-Haul truck filled with supplies, and publicist Tamara Washington all pitched in to collect nonperishable food, bottled water, toiletries, pet food, diapers, toiletries with TDECU donating $5,000 and the Texans giving vouchers for each person who donated for two tickets to the Texans' season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The event was supported by Mayor Sylvester Turner, who stopped by the Green Lot at NRG Stadium.
"It is an honor to be named the NFLPA Community MVP for this week,” Reid said. “I do not do anything for recognition; I’m strictly doing what I believe I am called to do. To much is given, much is required. Louisiana is my home, and my heart was broken after talking to family members and seeing images of the devastation in the news.”
The items were transported to the Louisiana Home and Foreign Missions Baptist Convention, which oversees a community of more than 200 churches in the state. The non-profit organization will be in charge of distributing the goods as well as the $10,000 donation generated by Reid to those in need across Louisiana.
“This tragedy has been an eye opener for me to do more for my home,” Reid said. “I am beyond appreciative to the Houston Texans for their commitment and support. My family and I stand with everyone in Louisiana to lend a helping hand.”
Last year, Reid partnered with Microsoft and Baylor University to donate 20 tablets to medical students to help with their studies. He also donated $10,000 to Kids Meals Houston to help feed families during the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, Reid has hosted a Thanksgiving Grocery Grab in 2019, where he took 20 families on a shopping spree, and partnered with Candle Lighters to send the families of children with cancer to Texans games.
The NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to the charity or foundation of Reid's choice. Aldine Sports Association, an organization founded by former Texans safety and fellow Stanford alum Justin Reid, will create customized T-shirts and hoodies featuring his unique Community MVP superhero illustration made by HEARTLENT Group and sold on ASA's website with a portion of all proceeds going to Reid's foundation. Reid, along with all the other 2021 Community MVP selections, will become eligible for this year's Alan Page Community award, the highest honor the players' union can bestow upon a player.
Aaron Wilson has covered the NFL for 20 seasons, including the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. He has previously written for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. He’s on Twitter: @AaronWilson_NFL and Instagram: @aaronwilson7128.
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