Fans react: Texans, Cowboys exhibition game canceled
The Houston Texans exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys has been canceled, the teams announced on Wednesday afternoon.
The game was scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
The Texans released a statement on Wednesday afternoon that explained the decision to cancel the game was due to the Texans' desire to return to Houston.
"At this time, the priority of our organization is getting our players, coaches and staff back home to be reunited with their families, many of whom have been evacuated from their homes and are currently sheltered. The Team feels it is imperitive to get back home to help the Houston community recover from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey."
Statement from the #Texans on going back to Houston. pic.twitter.com/4bg9weDkMI
— Jill Martin (@ByJillMartin) August 30, 2017
The statement also said authorities found a safe route for the team to travel home on Wednesday.
The Texans have been in Dallas practicing at the Cowboys' practice facility since late last week.
Early Wednesday morning, it was reported 40,000 tickets were sold for the game, which was originally scheduled to be played in Houston.
Fans who purchased tickets can either have their money refunded or donate the funds to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
Jason Witten on final preseason game cancelled: "I support that decision. This is bigger than football."
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) August 30, 2017
Texans owner Robert McNair and family Janice, Cal and Hannah pledged to make a donation to relief efforts that equaled the money that would have been made from ticket sales for Thursday's game.
The Texans and McNair announced they donated $1 million to the United Way of Greater Houston's flood relief fund on Tuesday.
Sean Lee on game cancelled: "They were worried about their families so it's great that they were able to get home and see their families."
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) August 30, 2017
After the announcement, fans reacted to the decision to cancel the game:
It's definitely the right move to cancel the Cowboys v Texans game. #Harvey
— Anthony Armstrong (@MrArmstrong13) August 30, 2017
Great call by NFL to cancel Cowboys-Texans game. Lots of folks need to get back home. Need to do the same for Rangers-Astros.#Priorities
— Billy Quinton (@QballEmpire) August 30, 2017
😒— Pedro (@jmontoya2014) August 30, 2017I was really looking forward to going to the cowboys vs Texans game but it got canceled
Probably right call to cancel Cowboys Texans game, but I do feel for those down-roster guys desperate for a final chance to prove themselves
— Dan Turner (@dtsturner) August 30, 2017
Tell me sports aren't important!
— The Garza (@a_garza_duh) August 30, 2017
Texans and Cowboys cancel game due to Texans opting to be with families and communities in Houston instead!
So meanwhile, the Cowboys-Texans game was moved first and just now cancelled....why not cancel to begin with?
— Robert Lewis (@DJNameless3) August 30, 2017
only fair to cancel all the other teams last pre-season game as well then....teams get unfair advantage to evaluate players, Texans-Cowboys
— zach (@ZachLthrmn) August 30, 2017
Smart decision by the NFL to cancel Texans-Cowboys game. Far more important things going on in aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 30, 2017
Cowboys: give $1 mil to relief efforts and cancel preseason game so Texans players can go home
— Reagan Koenig (@KoenigReagan) August 30, 2017
Rangers: won't even flip home series. Class.
