Michigan State football players haven’t had consecutive days off since July. Still, many from the team will be spending their bye week traveling to Texas to assist with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
According to the Lansing State Journal, 20 players from the team have already signed up to go to Houston as part of Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero’s Lansing Strong For Texas campaign.
“What would you want if some kind of natural disaster happened in Lansing?” Bernero said about his reason for starting the effort.
Following a game against Western Michigan, players who sign up to go to Texas will likely leave on Thursday and return Sunday to prepare for their game against Notre Dame on Sept. 23.
Wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel, sophomore wide receiver Darrell Stewart Jr. and sophomore offensive lineman Tyler Higby are from the Houston area.
“It’s kind of unique, and it’s what makes Americans awesome. When there’s trouble, we all come together,” offensive line coach Mark Staten told 247Sports.
Volunteers will help unload and distribute donated goods to areas outside of the city that may not be receiving as much attention.
The campaign has a goal of raising $10,000 for the Red Cross and collecting items such as cleaning supplies, toiletries, diapers and baby wipes.
All donated goods will be transported to Houston in a motorcoach that holds 60 people. On the return trip, the bus will also transport any Houston residents who want to reconnect with family or friends in Michigan.
The Spartans have an early bye week, so to spend their time and energy giving back to a community more than a thousand miles away, speaks volumes about the human beings under the helmets.
