Texans players give away bikes to low-income kids for an early Christmas gift

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Houston Texans helped Santa Claus deliver early Christmas presents for hundreds of local children.

After the Texans finished up practice Friday in preparation for Sunday's game with the Indianapolis Colts, the team gave away brand new bicycles to more than 200 children. The kids are from low-income families and were very excited to get the new bikes and spend some time hanging out with Texans star players DE J.J. Watt, WR Andre Johnson, and QB Matt Schaub.

"It's great to see how happy they are and how excited they are and to come out and be a part of this its just great," said Schaub.

J.J. Watt told us, "It's awesome. These kids are hilarious, they're great. It's really cool to have them out here and obviously it's great to see they're gonna get exercise with their new bikes so we're really happy we can do this."

All of the kids also received free helmets.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Houston Dynamo players shave heads for good cause

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston Dynamo players said goodbye to their locks for a good cause.

The team invited children from local hospitals to shave their heads at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Sport Clips helped in shaving the heads of Tally Hall, Brian Owmby and Brad Davis.

It's all an effort to raise awareness and money for Children's Cancer Research. (Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Sports »

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Homes wanted for professional baseball players

  SUGAR LAND, TX (KTRK) -- The Sugar Land Skeeters are currently seeking community members that are interested in becoming a host family for a Skeeters player during the Inaugural 2012 baseball season.

"Our host family program is extremely important to the entire baseball operation," said Michael Kirk, Director of Baseball Operations. "By hosting a player, you give that player, who is otherwise many miles away from their home environment and loved ones, a sense of home during the course of a long season."

Hosting a player gives fans the opportunity to get involved with the Sugar Land Skeeters on a personal level, as one of the players will be an 'adopted member of the family' during his time in Sugar Land.

All that is required to be a host family is a private bedroom and use of a bathroom, washer/dryer and kitchen for a Skeeters player. Any other amenities provided will be greatly appreciated by the player.

"Many players have become like an extended member of our family," said Linda Davidson, a host family member of the York Revolution. "We have stayed in touch with many of the players. Year in and year out, hosting a player in the Atlantic League has been a positive experience for everyone involved."

For information about the Sugar Land Skeeters Host Family Program, contact Michael Kirk at 281-240-4565. Interested families can also send an email to hostfamily@SugarLandSkeeters.com.

The Sugar Land Skeeters minor league baseball team, led by Manager and former Major League All-Star Gary Gaetti, will play in the $35 million Constellation Field, which is being constructed by the City of Sugar Land and the Skeeters at the intersection of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A.

The Sugar Land Skeeters will play 70 regular season home games annually, starting with the 2012 season beginning on April 26.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Four Rice U. football players arrested within past week

   HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Four Rice University football players have been arrested on various charges in the past week.

Defensive end Cody Carlton Bauer and linebacker Cade Mitchell Shaw were both arrested Saturday and each charged with carrying a prohibited weapon in a prohibited place. Both students posted $5,000. Two days later, cornerbacks Kevin Dewayne Gaddis and Phillip Winfield Gaines were arrested. Gaddis is charged with theft and possession of marijuana, while Gaines was charged with possession of marijuana. Gaines posted a $500 bond and Gaddis posted a total of $1,000 bond for both charges against him. All four were arrested by Rice University police. Online records show no attorneys for the four, and school spokesman B.J. Almond tells the Houston Chronicle that Rice is providing no other information because the university is private. Rice athletic director Rick Greenspan said he was investigating.

The AP contributed to this report. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) 

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