Houston Texans safety Andre Hal was a late round pick out of Vanderbilt that has paid off in a big way. Hal is currently the 30th best cornerback in football according to Pro Football Focus, and has three interceptions so far this season.
But it isn’t just on the field where Hal has shined, off the field he decided to host his annual shopping event at Palais Royal in Meyerland Plaza. Hal and some of his Houston Texans teammates went with the children and shopped at Palais Royal with a $350 gift card.
Growing up with a single mother in Louisiana, Hal decided to host students from Pro-Vision Charter School and their mothers.
“I thought it went really good, my mom and a couple of my teammates came out, great guys coming out for a great cause,” Hal said. “I grew up with a single parent. I know how these guys grew up. It’s kind of tough for single parents, especially around Christmas time and holiday season. Everybody wants gifts, everybody wants something. My mom did whatever she could to do that for me. She was a very hard worker. She instilled that in me” (Houston Chronicle).
“That’s why I work so hard for everything I have now. I love giving back. I gave back last year in my hometown. It’s good to give back in Houston because this is my second hometown now. It means a lot to the kids and the parents. One woman was crying. Everybody should have a good Christmas. These are great, great kids” (Houston Chronicle).
All of this is apart of Andre Hal’s All-Starts program, that allows students from Pro-Vision Charter School to attend Houston Texans games.
“I am very proud of Andre that he’s able to give back to the community, he’s a product of what he’s giving back to now,” West said. “Every last one of them has come up to me and told me how much this meant to them and how much the kids needed what they’re getting. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have had anything” (Houston Chronicle).
With the 3-year $15 million extension that he received last off season, Hal will be able to give back to the community for a very long time.
Andre Hal has done many charitable acts this year. Acts that include going to the San Antonio Boys and Girls Club, helping children of fallen soldiers during the Stampede Tour with Texans defensive end Christian Covington, and participating in a charity basketball game with fellow Vanderbilt alumni and Bills wide receiver Jordan Matthews against domestic violence towards women.