Houston Texans’ JJ Watt donates $10K to family of fallen firefighter
Jul 14, 2018, 6:31 AM | Updated: Jul 15, 2018, 6:05 pm
FILE - This Oct. 8, 2017 photo shows Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) warming up before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Houston. Watt, along with Greg Olsen and Benjamin Watson, is a finalist for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year award. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, file)
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip, file)
Houston Texans All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt has donated $10,000 to the family of a Wisconsin fire captain who was killed in an explosion.
Sun Praire Fire Department Capt. Cory Barr responded Tuesday to reports of a gas leak in the downtown Sun Praire, Wis.
The leak led to an explosion, killing Barr.
A GoFundMe was set up to support Barr’s wife and 3-year-old twin daughters after his passing, which caught Watt’s attention.
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According to the Associated Press, Kate Cichy, a spokesperson for GoFundMe, confirmed Wednesday the four-time Pro Bowler’s donation to the fund — which has now raised more than $180,000.
Born in Waukesha, Wis., Watt has been an active member in the Wisconsin and Houston communities since he was drafted by the Texans in 2011.
He was awarded the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2017 for his fundraising efforts for the people of Houston after Hurricane Harvey in August.
Watt raised more than $10 million, far surpassing his original goal of $200,000.
The Houston area was hit with yet another tragedy in May after a gunman opened fire at Santa Fe High School, killing eight students and two teachers.
Watt reacted on Twitter to the news of the shooting and reached out to school officials, offering to cover the funeral costs for all victims.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
