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J.J. Watt's Hurricane Harvey Fundraiser Eclipses $10 Million Goal

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistAugust 31, 2017

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 19: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans walks off the field after a 27-23 win over the New England Patriotsin a preseason game at NRG Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Houston, Texas.  (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Bob Levey/Getty Images

The Houston Flood Relief Fund, organized by Houston Texans superstar J.J. Watt, has eclipsed $10 million in donations to support the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

JJ Watt @JJWatt

$10 MILLION!!! Absolutely incredible. The most difficult times bring out the best in humanity. https://t.co/SR6DmnNbyM https://t.co/0H8jHcZCQc

That included a $200,000 donation from hip-hop artist Drake:

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also announced he would contribute:

Roger Goodell @nflcommish

Proud of the leadership players like @jjwatt are displaying in Houston. My wife Jane & I are joining his effort #99 https://t.co/R0nkymRYoU

Other notable donations to the fundraiser included Ellen DeGeneres and Walmart donating $1 million, Tennessee Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk also pledging $1 million and Miley Cyrus giving $500,000. 

And new Houston Rockets point guard Chris Paul contributed $50,000 to the fund.

Watt himself kicked off the fundraiser by donating $100,000. His original goal was to reach $200,000, and he released the following message when he began his effort (h/t Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle):

"That's our city. It's very tough to watch your city get hit by such a bad storm and not be there to help… So what I do want to do is, I want to start a fundraiser, because I know that these recovery efforts are going to be massive. There's going to be a whole bunch of people that we need to help get back on their feet and there's going to be a lot we need to do to help rebuild."

Since then, however, the fund has increased its original goal by 50 times. Over 98,000 people have made donations.