Andre Johnson treats kids to his annual Christmas shopping spree
For the eighth consecutive year, Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson has treated less fortunate kids to the Christmas spending spree of a lifetime.
On Tuesday morning, Johnson met dozens of children (ages 8-16) from the Harris County Department of Family Protective Services at a Toys R Us store near NRG Stadium. Each kid was given a shopping cart and allowed 80 seconds to race through the store and grab whatever he or she wanted.
The final bill came to $16,266.66, and Johnson happily paid every last penny.
According to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle, Johnson told the kids not to worry about trying to grab video game systems and video games, which were locked behind counters. Every kid automatically received a system and a couple of games when they were done with the 80-second spree.
#Texans' Andre Johnson sends kids on free Christmas shopping spree. #nfl https://t.co/VpJojwdYQg
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) December 2, 2014
Andre Johnson settling up. pic.twitter.com/P8d3sLCb5b
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) December 2, 2014
One cart still being checked out, free via @johnson80. #Texans pic.twitter.com/Vej8C6ziU6
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) December 2, 2014
Full baskets, paid for by Dre. pic.twitter.com/4uJlxCPys0
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) December 2, 2014
Johnson said his uncle gave him the idea for the shopping spree several years ago, noting that you’d be surprised how much kids can grab in just 80 seconds. I’m sure Johnson was surprised the first year or two, but he’s used to it by now.
Bravo, Andre.