A haunting silence lingers across Central Texas, broken only by the distant sounds of helicopters, search dogs, and rescue workers combing through debris. What started as a typical Sunday afternoon turned into a scene from a nightmare when sudden, violent flash floods tore through multiple towns, sweeping away homes, cars, and tragically — lives.

As of this morning, nearly 80 people have been confirmed dead, including 28 children. Dozens more remain unaccounted for. Emergency responders describe the scene as one of the worst natural disasters in recent Texas history.

But amid the heartbreak, a light of compassion has emerged — and it comes from an unexpected yet familiar face.

Late Monday evening, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid made headlines of his own — not for football, but for humanity.

In a quiet but powerful gesture, Reid personally contacted Texas state officials and representatives of several grieving families to cover all funeral expenses for the victims — and went even further by offering emotional and financial compensation to those most affected.

No press conference. No photo ops. Just action.

“Coach Reid didn’t want attention,” said a local pastor coordinating relief for several families. “He just said, ‘Tell them they’re not alone. We grieve with them.’ That’s all he wanted.”

The deadly floods struck fast and without mercy. Within minutes, overflowing rivers turned streets into raging torrents. Families barely had time to react.

One mother, now staying in an emergency shelter, broke down in tears when asked about the moment it all happened.

“I was cooking lunch… and the next thing I knew, water was smashing through the back door. My baby was upstairs. I couldn’t get to him.”

She lost her son.

Her story is one of dozens.

Entire neighborhoods were swept away. Schools were flooded mid-session. First responders are working around the clock, but the destruction is staggering.

Andy Reid’s contribution wasn’t just financial. Sources say he is also arranging grief counselors to fly into the region for the children and families left behind.

Some speculate his act was sparked by his own deeply personal experiences with tragedy. Reid lost his son Garrett in 2012 to a drug overdose — a wound he has rarely spoken of publicly.

“He knows grief,” said one NFL insider. “He knows what it’s like to bury a child. That’s why this hit home.”

Reid’s swift move has triggered a ripple effect across the sports world. Multiple Chiefs players have begun organizing donation drives. Other NFL teams are now coordinating to send supplies and support.

In the town of Marble Falls, a group of survivors held hands in a circle outside a makeshift shelter.

A young girl — no older than nine — clutched a water-stained teddy bear as she whispered, “Why did this happen?”

A volunteer bent down, wiping tears from the child’s face.

“Bad things happen,” she said, “but good people come to help. Like Coach Andy.”

The moment news of Reid’s action broke, #CoachReidCares began trending across X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and TikTok.

One viral post read:

“Andy Reid just proved again why he’s more than a coach. He’s a father. A man of heart. A legend on and off the field.”

Another read:

“Forget touchdowns. This is the win that matters most.”

The road ahead for Central Texas will be long. Officials warn that the death toll may still rise as more homes are searched. Thousands remain displaced.

But in the ashes of tragedy, acts of compassion like Andy Reid’s provide a glimmer of light.

No statement has been issued by Reid himself. When asked for comment, a Chiefs spokesperson said simply:

“Coach Reid asks for prayers — not for himself, but for the families.”

And so, the prayers continue — for the 28 children lost, for the parents who now have empty bedrooms, for the first responders still fighting to find the missing… and for the quiet, humble man who just reminded the world what it means to show up when it matters most.

Stay with us for continued updates as rescue efforts continue.
And if you want to help, local relief organizations have opened donation portals now accepting funds, supplies, and volunteers.

🙏 Texas is hurting. But Texas is not alone.

See More: Patrick Mahomes’ Friendship With Tom Brady Should Terrify Opposing Teams

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is learning plenty from future HOF QB Tom Brady.

Whenever the Kansas City Chiefs don’t win a Super Bowl, it’s viewed as a failure. Part of that organizational perspective stems from the talent of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Every year with a generational quarterback but without a ring is an underwhelming outcome. That philosophy is something most Hall of Fame-level players and their teams adopted over time. The prime example before Mahomes was Tom Brady and the New England Patriots (OK, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

Mahomes and Brady’s duels are well-documented in NFL history. Brady has always taken a liking to Mahomes, acknowledging his drive and potential. If there was ever a proverbial passing of the torch, it’d be from Brady to Mahomes. The current G.O.A.T. hasn’t shied away from that. On a July 7 episode of “Up & Adams” with Kay Adams, Mahomes opened up about what that friendship and mentorship means to him.

Patrick Mahomes Talking to Tom Brady ‘A Good Amount,’ Learning Plenty

Mahomes, a determined individual by nature, kicks it into overdrive when given such a ringing endorsement.

“Having Tom, a guy like that say that, it just motivates me even more,” Mahomes said. “I’ve actually talked to Tom a good amount this offseason. It’s cool that he wants to give me advice, you know? He doesn’t have to be like that. He’s such a good dude, and I have so much respect for him. I’ll take any advice he gives me.”

When asked for details about that advice, the Chiefs superstar didn’t divulge. He did, however, double down on his goal to be a good teammate and lead by example.

“I’ve got to keep the secrets, you know?” Mahomes said. “He always talks about being yourself. He thinks that – which I truly believe, too – guys can spot when you’re not authentic and you’re not putting in the work. That’s something that he did every single day; that’s why guys respected him so much. That’s all I’m going to do for the rest of my career, and I feel like I’ve done so far is I’m always myself. No matter if you like me or if you don’t like me, you know that I’m giving everything I can to win the football games.”

Brady’s impact on Mahomes is obvious. In a modern NFL world that focuses on high drama and firing back at doubters, the 29-year-old prefers to let his play do the talking. That’s the theme of the Chiefs’ upcoming revenge tour this season. Setting – and maintaining – a solid precedent has a domino effect on the rest of the team.

Legacy Will Always Be on Mahomes’ Mind as Chiefs Career Continues

In just seven full seasons as the Chiefs’ starter, Mahomes’ resume is one that 99% of signal-callers dream of constructing. He’s already among the winningest quarterbacks ever, achieving equal amounts of regular-season and playoff success. Numbers and tape alike both make a legitimate case for Mahomes being an all-time great.

But even with six Pro Bowls, two All-Pro nods, three championships and a pair of MVPs, Mahomes knows the work of leaving a legacy is never done.

“I think it’s always in the back of your mind, even from the beginning of my career,” Mahomes said. “But at the end of the day, it’s about taking it a day at a time. A day, and a day, and a day, just continuing to do that. That’s something that I’ve been conscious of: knowing how blessed I am to be in Kansas City [and] to have all these great players around me.”

The Chiefs are eyeing a rebound year in 2025. With Mahomes leading the way and being fueled by Brady’s motivation, that should terrify anyone standing in Kansas City’s way.

Jordan Foote is a seasoned sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com with an emphasis on the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. He has years of experience publishing NFL and MLB content for Sports Illustrated’s On SI vertical, in addition to a background in NBA coverage for multiple outlets. Foote is a Baker University alumnus, earning his degree in Mass Media. He’s based in Kansas City. More about Jordan Foote