Let me tell you, it's been a tough year for the NFL. Between the endless scandals and players making headlines for all the wrong reasons, it's easy to feel like the league's lost its way. But then, there's Andre Johnson. Thank goodness for him. Seriously, when was the last time you heard about an NFL player doing something genuinely good off the field? Just as the Aaron Hernandez story started to fade from the headlines, Ray Rice punched his way back into the news. Not long after, Ray McDonald and Adrian Peterson followed suit. By now, over 40 NFL players have been suspended for at least one game this season. And that's just the suspensions; we're not even talking about the fines. Against this backdrop of negativity, Andre Johnson’s story is nothing short of remarkable.

Andre Johnson's Annual Christmas Miracle

Now, here's where the magic happens. Last night, Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson pulled off an incredible Christmas miracle. And guess what? This isn't the first time he's done it. Nope, this is the eighth year in a row that Andre has been spreading joy and making a difference in the lives of kids who need it most. Let that sink in for a moment—eight years of giving back, consistently and selflessly.

Spreading Joy One Toy at a Time

Every year, Andre invites a group of at-risk children and their siblings from Houston area child protective services to join him on a special trip. Where are they going, you ask? None other than their local Toys "R" Us. Once they're there, Andre gives the kids exactly 80 seconds—yes, 80 seconds, a nod to his jersey number—to fill up a shopping cart with as many toys as they can grab. To make it even more fun, each child is paired with a Texans cheerleader who helps guide them through the store and pick out the coolest goodies. And just in case you're wondering, every kid also gets to choose their own entertainment system, along with two games to go with it. It’s like a dream come true for these kids.

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By the time the clock hit zero, the total bill came to an impressive $16,266.26. That’s right, folks, sixteen thousand dollars worth of toys. But for Andre, it's not about the money; it's about the impact. Here's what he had to say about it: "I just enjoy doing it. I always felt like if I was ever to make it, I wanted to give back. You go through stuff as a kid growing up. You understand certain situations. I understand some of the things these kids go through." Those words speak volumes about the kind of person Andre Johnson is. He's not just a football player; he's a role model.

A Little Snag with the Credit Card

Now, here's a funny little twist to the story. When Andre first tried to pay for all those toys, his credit card company flagged the purchase as fraud. Can you imagine? They thought someone was trying to steal from him because who in their right mind spends $16,000 on toys in one go? Andre had to personally call in to verify that yes, he was indeed buying $16,000 worth of toys at Toys "R" Us. You'd think after doing this for eight years, his credit card company would have caught on by now!

Here's a photo of Andre holding his final receipt, which, by the way, is about as long as the receipt I got the other day at CVS after buying a single pack of gum:

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And here's a picture from last year, when the shopping spree total came to an even more impressive $17,352:

So, as we reflect on the year that’s been, let’s take a moment to appreciate the good that’s still out there. Thank you, Andre Johnson, for reminding us that kindness and generosity still exist, even in the toughest of times.