Former NFL Star Gives Underprivileged Kids Christmas Shopping Spree

Nick Kangadis | December 8, 2016
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and some underprivileged children received an awesome surprise that made their “eyes all aglow” this Christmas season.

Recently retired NFL star wide receiver Andre Johnson gave 12 kids the chance to go wild at a Houston Toys R Us on Wednesday.

According to ABC 13 in Houston, the children were chosen by Child Protective Services to be a part of the shopping spree.

Johnson’s number with the Houston Texans, the team with whom Johnson spent most of his career, was 80. So, each child was given 80 seconds to grab as much and whatever they wanted within that time frame.

That might not seem like a lot of time, but each child also had the assistance of Texans cheerleaders to grab even more of what they desired.

Johnson has partnered with Toys R Us since 2007 to give back to children within the community.

Johnson, drawing from his own childhood, commented on what has become a yearly tradition:

When you grow up in certain situations you kind of understand so, there were times when I was not able to get what I wanted for Christmas. So I know that a lot kids don't get what they want for Christmas. This idea was brought to me and I just kind of took it and ran with it.

The total bill for the 12 kids mad dash throughout the toy store totaled $19,144.58, an average of $1,595.38 per child.

Johnson has been giving back to kids since he entered the NFL in 2003 when he created the Andre Johnson Foundation.

According to the foundation’s website:

The Andre Johnson Foundation is committed to creating and empowering youth from single-parent homes by supporting programs that develop the total person.

That is just proof that giving back is not just a once a year thing for Johnson.

For video of the occasion, watch below:

 

 

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