Who would have thought that Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney calling Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles “trash” could turn into something so positive?

Clowney lobbed the insult after the Jags beat the Texans 45-7 on Dec. 17. In response to that, Jaguar fans ordered trash cans online and sent them to NRG Stadium. So, Clowney decided to fill the cans and an entire truck with holiday gifts and toys, and donate them to Mission of Yahweh in Houston.

Mission of Yahweh is an emergency and transitional shelter that helps women and children get on their feet.

“One man’s trash is another person’s treasure. That’s how I ended up giving back today,” Clowney said on Friday while handing out toys, posing for pictures and playing ball with the children…Anybody can do it [give back], but not a lot of people are. For me to give back, I’m very happy. I’m very blessed.”

 

 

Clowney also posted a “thank you” to Jags fans on Twitter.

Thank you @Jaguars fans for sending trash cans to NRG! It inspired me to fill them and an entire truck with toys to turn a negative situation into a blessing for some deserving women and children at @MissionOfYahweh.

 

 

According to ESPN, Bonnie Upright, a public relations professional who used to work with the Blake Bortles Foundation, claims the trash can was her idea. After hearing the insult, she went on Amazon, bought a can, sent it to Houston, and encouraged other Jacksonville fans to do the same.

“It’s Christmas. It’s the season of giving,” Upright said. “Let’s have a little fun with it. So I did….I was respectful. I didn’t go at [Clowney] personally. Didn’t say anything hateful or mean. I just wished him a merry Christmas from a trash-loving Jaguars fan.”

If the heated divisional rivalry produces more meaningful moments like this, well, let the trash talk continue. There are lives out there to improve.