Houston, TX– A group of Texas Southern University student-athletes came through in the clutch to help a Houston family’s dream come true. Representatives with the ABC show “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” needed some volunteers with muscle and they turned to TSU for help. “I’m a TSU law school grad and thought that some Texas Southern football players would be perfect to help us out,” said Matt Pappas, Extreme Makeover night production assistant. They got more than football players for the job. A couple of women’s basketball players and a baseball player joined in as well. Nineteen Tigers came out to lend a hand…and some brawn to cause. The student-athletes cleared a lot, stacked
ice and cases of drinks and moved two truckloads of new furniture during their three hour shift.
“We can’t thank you guys enough for what you’ve done today. Great job,” said Brady Connell, Extreme Makeover executive producer. While the student-athletes may get some time in the national spotlight, for some it was all about giving back.
“We don’t mind doing a little work, especially for a deserving family in our area,” said TSU quarterback Arvell Nelson. Eric and Elaine Johnson and their five daughters make up the family that got the extreme home makeover. The Johnsons have been married 15 years and have dedicated their lives to counseling underprivileged married
couples and families. They inherited a run-down house in an inner city neighborhood with hopes of renovating it, but Hurricane Ike and a bad economy prevented that from happening. That’s why “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” stepped in. The volunteer coordinator says that TSU’s three hours of service helped to make up 12 hours worth of work.
The “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” season starts September 26th, but officials could not say when the Houston couple would be
featured.
