ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The day after Emmanuel Sanders posted an Instagram plea for his followers to help those suffering from the effects of Hurricane Harvey, he announced his own plans to assist those in Houston.
After practice Tuesday, Sanders announced the team had pooled at least $40,000 to send to victims of the flooding across the Texas Gulf Coast region.
"Obviously I'm from there, so seeing those pictures, seeing those videos, and seeing all of my family and all of my friends going through that, it hurts me that I can't do anything about it, as far as physically," Sanders said. "One thing that I can do is I can gather all of my teammates, see how much money we can get together and try to donate some to a cause out there."
Sanders also said he would personally donate 10,000 diapers to those in need in Houston. He hoped, with the help of his teammates, they could donate 40,000 diapers as a unit. The Houston resident also said he was looking for a way to contribute food and drink to those without access.
"We're doing our part as the Broncos and being in the NFL and being on this platform," Sanders said. "We're trying to give back. And I know it's extremely close to my heart because I'm from that city. I've got two houses out there. So I'm forever grateful for my teammates for chipping in."
He also expressed his gratitude for the efforts of both Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who helped fundraise more than $2 million as of Tuesday afternoon, and several NFL teams that have made substantial donations.
"Yes, I mean that's huge," Sanders said. "I think every NFL team should at least contribute in some type of way."
