By India McCarty
Texas Longhorns senior defensive back Michael Taaffe recently paid tribute to the victims of the floods that affected Texas’ Camp Mystic and shared his prayers for their families.
“These are the initials of girls that passed away in the Texas floods this past week,” he told ESPN, showing his tie embroidered with the initials. “You know, most of these girls were 8 years old, fighting for their lives.”
Taaffee continued, “Two of the initials on this tie are counselors that were 18 years old that were going to attend the University of Texas next year, and they had to turn from counselors that were 18 years old, to heroes and saviors for 8-year-old girls…We’ve been praying continuously for those families and the community, and I want to help them any way I can.”
Talking to another reporter, the athlete explained, “I just wanted to shed light on what’s going on in Texas because, you know, football is cool, but this is real life. This is more important than football.”
“I wanted everyone around the country to know what Texas is dealing with and how I can give back and show my support to them. Anything I can do for them, I’m going to do it,” he said.
Related: ‘Praying’: Texas-Based Celebrities Share Heartbreak Over Devastating Floods
Texas Representative August Pfluger, whose two daughters survived the Camp Mystic flooding, said the evacuated campers were “praying for their friends and their safety.”
“My middle daughter said that this was a family,” he said, via PEOPLE. “Everybody knew everybody. And this family is deeply grieving right now.”
The devastating floods took place over 4th of July weekend, ultimately claiming the lives of at least 132 people.
“This is a time when we, as a state, need God more than ever,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement posted to his website. “The one thing I hear the most are the prayers that are being sent for those who are in harm’s way.”
He continued, “There is an extraordinary collaboration to make sure that we address everybody’s concern as quickly as possible. As part of this, I am signing a disaster declaration to ensure counties have access to every tool, strategy, and personnel that the State of Texas can provide to them, which will be limitless.”
People around the world continue to pray for those in Texas affected by the floods and hope the recovery efforts continue to be successful.
Read Next: Dennis Quaid Shares Scary Family Moment During Texas Floods: ‘Praying’
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