Texans, Cowboys Preseason Game Cancelled
ARLINGTON (CBSDFW) - The Cowboys and Texans preseason game set for Thursday night at AT&T Stadium has been cancelled.
ALERT: #Texans wishes for cancellation of game w #Cowboys .desired to return to families in Hou. Wish granted. Game cancelled @1053thefan
— fishsports (@fishsports) August 30, 2017
According to a news release from the Houston Texans, the game is being called off so that Texans players can return to their families.
We are heading home! ???????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/CtRHcGOtnb
— Amy Palcic (@amypalcic) August 30, 2017
"The Houston Texans have made the decision to travel back to Houston after local authorities have now found a safe route for the team to drive home today. The fourth preseason game scheduled for Thursday night in Dallas will be cancelled. 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 imperative to get back home to help the Houston community recover from the devestation of Hurricane Harvey.
Robert, Janice, Cal and Hannah McNair will make a donation equal to the money that would have generated from ticket sales from Thursday's preseason game in Arlington to recovery and relief efforts.
Fans that have purchased tickets to Thursday's game will have the option to donate the money to relief efforts or request a refund through Ticketmaster. Further details regarding refunds will be announced later today.
The Houston Texans sincerely appreciate the support shown by the Dallas Cowboys and our NFL family during this difficult time."
The game was originally slated to be played in Houston, however, due to the city being decimated by Hurricane Harvey flood waters, it was moved to Arlington on Tuesday.
J.J. Watt: "I think its the right decision. Everybody here is most concerned about their family, friends and the city of Houston."
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 30, 2017
The Texans have been practicing at the Cowboys facilities at The Star in Frisco after they were unable to return home following a preseason game in New Orleans on August 26.
Game proceeds, representing contributions by both clubs and the players, were set to be donated to the United Way of Greater Houston Relief Fund that supports the efforts of the Red Cross and Salvation Army for Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Approximately 40,000 tickets had already been sold for $25 each.
According to the Dallas Cowboys, "Cowboys officials are in the process of determining whether an event can still be held at AT&T Stadium on Thursday night -- be it a practice, a scrimmage, an autograph session or something similar."