Chris Johnson’s eyes went numb watching the television as
the events transpired. Chris Horton tried anything to get his mind
off what was going on in his hometown of New Orleans. Fred Holmes
and Chris Markey were in disbelief.
For members of the UCLA football team, five of whom have ties to
the areas struck by Hurricane Katrina, every waking moment in Los
Angeles for the past three weeks has been gut-wrenching.
The images back home are gripping: dilapidated homes, businesses
inundated with water, people evacuated and poverty growing
exponentially. Hurricane Katrina had ripped across the Gulf Coast,
impairing the lives of millions.
“I was in a panic for my family,” Horton said.
“One day after practice, I broke down,” said Markey,
whose hometown is in Luling, La. “I really want to see (my
family). It doesn’t have to be home. I just want to get to
wherever they are.”
Horton, a sophomore safety, spent time during the post-hurricane
days text-messaging his friends and family. That was the only way
he could get in contact with them.
Johnson recalls making numerous calls only to get a busy signal.
He finally got through and his mother, Colleen, said his family was
safe. He was told to keep his mind on football and school and not
worry. It was difficult. He wanted to be home.
“I heard about it a day before it came. It caught me a
little by surprise,” said Johnson, a sophomore defensive
tackle from Harvey, La. “There’s always hurricanes
heading towards that area and usually they veer off to the left or
right.
“The next day I called them and they were evacuated and
going to a hotel,” Johnson said. “That was the last
time I talked to them for the next five days.”
Holmes’ family, which resides in Kenner, La., evacuated
just one day before the hurricane touched down.
Members of the UCLA football team are fortunate. The families of
Johnson, Horton and Holmes all escaped before the hurricane
struck.
“The ceiling (of my house) caved in and a lot of the rooms
have water damage,” Johnson said. “But a lot of people
have it worse. My family was one of the lucky ones.”
Despite not being able to get into contact with family and
friends, the players from the impacted areas prayed and consoled
one another.
“We make sure that all our family members are safe and
sound,” Holmes said. “If we need some help just talking
or whatever. The love is there.”
Right when Hurricane Katrina hit, Holmes could only think about
lending a hand like passing out water. Horton just wanted to go
visit his parents, who are temporarily living in Houston. Johnson
lost contact with his family for five days. He now gets in touch
with his sister, Christina, to receive updates on his family.
During this time of despair, the one thing that has kept players
from agonizing over the events back home has been football.
“It helps me keep going, being out here with the guys and
not sitting up in the room watching CNN all day,” Horton
said.
“I can hardly watch CNN because it’s so bad,”
Johnson said. “The pictures that they’re showing, I
used to be there. I remember it.”
Nationwide relief efforts have been formed to mitigate and
provide support for those affected by the catastrophe. The UCLA
family has done its part.
During the UCLA-Rice game, UCLA staff, players and coaches
sought donations for a program called “Bruins for
Relief” and raised over $39,000.
“It’s a good step. I was very appreciative,”
said UCLA coach Karl Dorrell. “It was good to get that type
of response. Good to see humankind respond to things like that.
It’s great to see people that care and are willing to help
out.”
Unselfishness has been a common theme lately.
“I think the efforts are wonderful and just
tremendous,” Holmes said. “It’s like the response
during 9/11. Everyone is helping out. It’s amazing how people
don’t think about themselves. It shows the love is there for
our country and how we’re together.”
Coaches from around the nation have teamed up to raise funds for
the victims. Men’s basketball coach Ben Howland has been an
advocate. Other coaches supporting the Katrina relief effort
include Virginia Tech men’s basketball coach Seth Greenberg,
Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, Arizona basketball coach
Lute Olson and Texas Tech basketball coach Bob Knight.
A Web site, AllCoachesCare.com, has been created to bring
awareness and support through an online auction. Such items on
auction are autographs by UCLA coach John Wooden and also a dinner
for four with Howland and his staff.
“We’ve been fortunate as a family to be a part of
this,” said UCLA Director of Basketball Operations Chris
Carlson. “We’re trying to contribute in any way we
can.”
“It’s good that everybody is chipping in. A lot of
people are in need over there,” Johnson said. “Food,
shelter, water. It’s a good thing that people are doing. I
just hope that the relief efforts continue.”