First Responders | Houston Texans - HoustonTexans.com

The Texans hosted the Baltimore Ravens for the first home game of the 2020 season in the annual Liberty White Out Game presented by BHP, which honors our city's first responders. As fans cheered on the Texans from home, fans were invited to submit photos of their COVID-19 heroes with #FrontlineTexans on social media to be celebrated as the Homefield Advantage Captains. Liberty White Out Coin Toss Captains included Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales, Houston Police Department Chief of Police Art Acevedo, Houston Fire Department Fire Chief Samuel Peña and BHP Gulf of Mexico General Manager Myron Protz. Deputies from the Harris County Sheriff's Office, firefighters from the Houston Fire Department, paramedics from the Harris County Emergency Corps and BHP employees virtually participated in the singing of "Deep in the Heart of Texas." First responders and frontline heroes were featured in the front row of the Houston Texans Fan Zone presented by Houston Methodist with Clay Walker performing the national anthem.

The Texans recognized Ronald Walker, an engineer operator at Houston Fire Station 48, with the annual Star of Courage Award. In 2013, the Star of Courage Award was created to recognize a first responder who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, bravery and a commitment to Houston. EO Walker was nominated by his wife for his unwavering commitment to his job during COVID-19. OL Nick Martin recorded a special message to surprise EO Walker and he received a custom game ball, trophy and a $10,000 donation in his honor to the 100 Club of Houston, which supports the families of fallen first responders.

The Texans and Apache partnered with Buffalo Bayou Partnership to create "the Grove." The grove of trees was planted in recognition of each monthly Star of Courage recipient. The Star of Courage Award recognizes first responders who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, bravery and a commitment to Houston. Each of the honorees and their families, as well as the Houston community, is invited to visit Buffalo Bayou Park and the Houston Police Officers Memorial to enjoy these beautiful trees.

The Texans work with the Houston Police Department to support the Greater Houston Police Activities League (PAL) relational policing initiative in Houston. The Texans awarded a $10,000 grant to the Police Activities League in 2020 to support youth outreach efforts to help the organization further its mission of preventing juvenile crime and violence by building positive relationships among kids, cops and community through positive engagement through sports. The Texans also provided 10,000 co-branded giveaways, such as frisbees, footballs and trading cards, for officers to hand out to kids to create positive interactions in the community.

Texans Chairman and CEO Cal McNair, Vice President of the Foundation Hannah McNair, Legend Cecil Shorts III, TORO and Cheerleaders surprised Houston Fire Station 55 on Tuesday, May 4, to celebrate International Firefighters' Day. The Texans provided the firefighters lunch and presented them with a framed #55 jersey to thank them for all they have done during this challenging time.

DL Jacob Martin and Legend ND Kalu joined Houston Police Department Executive Assistant Chief (and now HPD Chief) Troy Finner and Greater Houston Police Activities League (GHPAL) officers for a virtual dialogue with teens on social justice. The teen participants, who are a part of the GHPAL Program, had the opportunity to ask the panelists questions about criminal justice and police relations. More than 50 local teens tuned in to watch the conversation.