Hurricane Harvey: Texans-Cowboys Cancel Final Preseason Game

HOUSTON, TX — The NFL stepped in to cancel Thursday night’s final preseason game of the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys in Arlington. Just another win for Hurricane Harvey and all his fury. But the Texans can finally come home tonight.

The Texans and Cowboys always play the final preseason game in a Lone Star showdown that’s great for the fans. After Harvey hit Texas as a powerful Category 1 storm in Rockport, it moved over Houston and dumped more than 50 inches of rain in some places.

Houston played in New Orleans last Saturday and have been holed up in Dallas the last week and practiced at the Cowboys The Star facility in Frisco. The Texans released a statement on Wednesday.

Harvey Could Be One Of The Most Expensive Storms In US History

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"At this time, the priority of our organization is getting our players, coaches and staff back home to be reunited with their families, many of whom have been evacuated from their homes and are currently sheltered," the team said. "The team feels it is imperative to get back home to help the Houston community recover from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey."

The teams agreed to play the game at AT&T Stadium, with all proceeds going to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. Tickets were $25 each, and parking was $25. By Wednesday morning, 40,000 tickets had been sold — before the NFL stepped in.

The Cowboys organization said ticketholders had the choice of a full refund or have their money go toward Houston relief. The Texans and Cowboys franchises had already donated $1 million each.

"I've been increasingly impressed with them as we've dealt with all the things we've had to deal with over the last couple of days. And the way they have been resilient, and the way they have maintained their focus during practice and being pros. But it was a shout of joy when we announced we were going home. I think everyone wants to get there," he said.

Texans general manager Rick Smith said the Sept. 10 home game against AFC South foe Jacksonville jaguars will go on as planned.

Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images