TEXAS TECH SPREADS CHEER AT CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

Head coach Mike Leach and the 7th ranked Texas Tech football team took time out of their busy AT&T Cotton Bowl schedule Tuesday afternoon to go and spread some cheer to the children of Children’s Medical Center.

The Red Raiders were greeted by approximately 20 children and several staff members of the hospital, along with past AT&T Cotton Bowl chairman John Stuart and wife Barbara. Coach Leach and the team spent an hour visiting with patients inside the Moore Auditorium making arts and crafts with them, while another 30 children were honored with visits by the seniors of the squad in their own room. The activities inside the auditorium included decorating sugar cookies with black and red icing, coloring sheets of paper that had the Texas Tech logo on it, and autographing a big banner that read We Love Texas Tech.

Each child received Dr Pepper/Snapple group gift bags filled with t-shirts provided by Dr Pepper, AT&T Cotton Bowl wrist band and poster, and a Texas Tech logo lighter. Children’s Medical Center also provided gifts, giving each player a Children’s Medical Center cap, while Sharpie donated the markers which were used by the athletes to autograph the hats.

Children’s President & CEO Chris Durovich greeted the team and Coach Leach, thanking them for taking time and visiting the children, while Leach proceeded, saying a few words of thanks and then leading his team to a “guns up.”

“We are excited to be here and it is a real honor for us to have the opportunity and experience these brave boys and girls,” stated Coach Leach. “It’s a great opportunity for us to come and tell these kids to push on through and do the best they can and that we are very proud of them.”

First-team All American Graham Harrell had a great time, making rounds visiting the craft tables, talking to the children and encouraging them to keep fighting.

“To have a chance and come over here and give back to the kids is awesome,” stated the Johnny Unitas award winner. “These are strong kids and more than anything I just want to encourage them to keep fighting. They have been through a lot more than we have and I just want to let them know that they need to keep battling as well as let them know they are an inspiration to us.”

Dallas, Texas, native Michael Crabtree felt honored that he had the opportunity to come home and spend time with the kids.

“It’s a great thing to come out here and show the kids some love,” said the two-time Biletnikoff Award winner. “Coming home and being part of all of this is exciting.”

Inside receiver Eric Morris was very humbled to be part of such a great event that could bring him back to a bigger picture called life.

“It’s very humbling for us to be here,” stated Morris. “Sometimes we get caught up in winning football games and then you take a look at the big picture and see these kids struggling for their life and we’re struggling to win football games. It’s always nice to come and give back to kids like this who really look up to football players.”