How One NFL Player Turned Trash to Treasure
Trash talking comes with the territory for professional athletes. And while many handle it in stride, sometimes, egos get bruised and it can get a little personal. After the Houston Texans lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a brutal 45-7 blow out, Texans’ defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney, had a moment of weakness. He let the crushing defeat get the best of him, as reported by Bleacher Report, and during a post game press conference he told reporters that the Jaguars’ quarterback, Blake Bortles, was “trash,” as reported by Brian Smith of the Houston Chronicle.
Asked if Bortles is improving, Clowney said he’s “trash.” #Texans #Jaguars
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) December 17, 2017
Bortles wasn’t too bothered by the comment. As reported by Michael Di Rocco of ESPN.com.
Jaguars QB Blake Bortles on the criticism he has faced and how he's amassed those critics: "If how we're playing and how I'm playing is trash, then I'm fine being trash."
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) December 20, 2017
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However, Jags fans took a different approach and sent Clowney trashcans in defense of their QB.
The most wonderful time of the year ???? pic.twitter.com/AuLJgafAqc
— Dustin Hegedus (@DRHegedus) December 21, 2017
After receiving these unwanted gifts, and presumably after time enough for a cooler head to prevail, Clowney decided to change the narrative. He filled the trashcans and an entire truck with toys that he delivered to a faith-based shelter that provides a safe place and resources for homeless women and children as well as low-income families. The people that Mission of Yahweh serves will benefit greatly from this unexpected gift and just in time for Christmas.
Clowney posted a photo on Twitter thanking Jaguars’ fans for sending the trashcans and inspiring him to "turn a negative situation into a blessing."
Thank you @Jaguars fans for sending trash cans to NRG! It inspired me to fill them and an entire truck with toys to turn a negative situation into a blessing for some deserving women and children at @MissionOfYahweh #turningtrashintotreasure #merrychristmas pic.twitter.com/LamHoDSLEk
— jadeveon clowney 7 (@clownejd) December 22, 2017
Now we say, that's more like it!