A consortium of organizations, has received a field valued at $1,250,000 donated by the Houston Texans, Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation-NRG Park, and Hellas Construction, Inc., $250,000 from the NFL Grassroots Foundation Grant, and a $200,000 NFL Foundation Matching Grant through the Houston Texans to install a new synthetic sports turf surface at Jack Yates High School Athletic Field. Rodney Ellis, Harris County Commissioner Precinct One, was instrumental in the designation of Yates as the recipient of the field.

The Planning Consortium is a strategic alliance that includes Change Happens, Houston Society for Change, 88 C.H.U.M.P., Harris County Commissioner, Precinct One, Rodney Ellis, and Jack Yates High School National Alumni Association. The consortium, which represents community development, education, community engagement, public service, and social service organizations anchored in the neighborhood, shares the common goal of working with Yates High School and the Houston Independent School District (HISD) to create an athletic field that will offer local schools increased opportunities for sports, recreation, education, and relaxation that contribute to the quality experience of school life and activities.

The renovated field will be located on the campus of Jack Yates High School. Yates high school is located in the heart of Third Ward Houston, at 3650 Alabama. It is part of HISD and is named after Reverend John Henry “Jack” Yates, a former slave, and a minister. Many former and current NFL players attended Yates, as well as other professional athletes, celebrities, journalists, actors, and national/community leaders.

“Evidence shows that youth who play sports do better in school and are more likely to go to college, said Carl Davis, Chair, Houston Society for Change. “We need to consider that if sports are this good for youth, why aren’t we integrating sports with first rate facilities into the life of every students.”

The grant awarded to the consortium is part of the NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, a partnership of the National Football League Foundation, which provides funding for the Program, the Houston Texans, which supports the program locally, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which provides technical assistance and manages the Program. “The Houston Texans are proud to work with our partners to support the renovation of the Jack Yates High School Athletic Field,” said Texans Chairman and CEO Cal McNair. “Our hope is that this field enriches a love of sports across the youth in the historic Third Ward, prompting the next generation of student athletes and leaders. We are grateful to be a part of this project and believe it will become an integral pillar of the community for decades to come.”

The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program is intended not only to respond to the immediate shortage of playing fields, but also to build an infrastructure through partnerships and resident involvement that will sustain these open spaces for community use. “I am committed to bettering the lives of people by providing quality and accessible services and programs while striving to incorporate equity, fairness, and justice into all our priority goals and objectives. This field is just one more example of that effort,” said Commissioner Ellis.