SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — TCU may be in Arizona for the opportunity to advance to the national championship game, but the Horned Frogs received a nice reminder that the week is about more than just college football.
On Wednesday, TCU went through its Fiesta Bowl team outreach event.
The Fiesta Bowl partnered with Sleeping Heavenly Peace to build beds for children at Notre Dame Prep. The Horned Frogs endured wet and rainy conditions to help build beds for children around the Phoenix area.
Immediately after practice, TCU bused 20 minutes across the Phoenix metropolitan area to help give back. It was a moment that stuck with members of the roster.
“We’re building beds for kids here in Arizona that don’t have them and are sleeping on the floor,” running back Trent Battle said. “It’s really cool for me.”
Battle, who starred at Alabama powerhouse Daphne, is used to doing these types of acts of service and was glad TCU had a chance to help those in need as they prepare for the biggest game in program history.
“It’s really cool for me,” Battle said. “Back in high school I would do community service every year and back home I would do a Christmas charity event with my high school coach. To come out and do something similar for kids in Arizona it feels really good for me.”
Quarterback Chandler Morris was also among the players present at Notre Dame, firing nail guns into the wooden planks that would form the frame of the beds.
Still in practice gear, Morris said he was grateful for the opportunity to do something meaningful for the community that has hosted the Horned Frogs since Christmas Eve.
“It’s been awesome,” Morris said. “We get to come back and give back to the community. It’s an opportunity to get your mind off football and then obviously we’ll turn the switch back on and get focus on football. But you need to take your mind off every now and then during the week.”
While TCU was making an impression on the dozen or so kids present during the bed-building process, the children were also doing the same for them.
“They’re going to appreciate it so much, but it’s heart warming for us,” Morris said. “We made an impact for them, but they really made an impact for us.”
Jose Moreno was one of the Fiesta Bowl organizers who helped set up the events and he couldn’t help but be impressed by the character of TCU.
“The young men here are class acts,” Moreno said. “You forget, they’re young men. Some of them are 18, 19, 20 years old. They are little kids out here, they’re having a good time. TCU just came from practice so I know they’re tired, hungry and ready to shower. They gave up an hour to spend some time here and it’s a pretty special thing.”
Win or lose against Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, TCU knows that the trip won’t be an empty one after impacting the lives of so many.
