Texans to host Uvalde football players at season opener: 'We support them in every way'

The Houston Texans will host the Uvalde Coyotes high school football team at their 2022 season opener against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on Sunday, per a report on NFL.com.

The Texans made the announcement after they paid a visit to the grief-stricken South Texas city 80 miles outside of San Antonio to donate new uniforms to the Coyotes before the latter’s own home opener on Friday. 

Nineteen students and two teachers lost their lives in a mass shooting at Uvalde’s Robb Elementary School in May.

According to the report, Texans Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cal McNair, Houston Texans Foundation Vice President Hannah McNair, first-year head coach Lovie Smith and linebackers Kamu Grugier-Hill and Christian Kirksey accompanied Roland Ramirez, the team’s director of player care and sports medicine, to Ramirez’s hometown. Ramirez attended Robb as a child.

"It was just special to see the smiles on their faces because we know that this city was impacted drastically ... We're just excited to be here and honored to be here and be here with the city and let them know that we support them in every way,” Kirksey told NFL Network, per the report.

Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that the Texans also partnered with San Antonio-based supermarket H-E-B to cover the Coyotes’ travel expenses and accommodations for this upcoming Sunday.

The team announced in a press release that the players will wear a “Uvalde Strong” decal on their helmets.

“We stand with Uvalde,” the Texans said in a tweet to unveil the decal.

Houston Daily reported in June that the franchise made a $400,000 donation to the Robb School Memorial Fund.

The publication reported that the players spearheaded the donation – which consisted of $200,000 from the players, coaches and staff and the front office’s match – much to McNair’s approval.

San Antonio ABC affiliate KSAT reported that Uvalde defeated Eagle Pass Winn 34-28 in its emotional first home game of the season.

The Coyotes, who have designated the No. 21 for a senior player in memory of the victims, have a 2-0 record as of press time.

Tuesday marked the first day of school in Uvalde since the events at Robb.