Colts’ Pierre Garcon Tries to Help for Haiti
Indianapolis receiver Pierre Garcon tries to prepare for the AFC Championship Game while wondering if his relatives in earthquake-stricken Haiti are safe.
Haiti's with Indianapolis wide receiver Pierre Garcon even when he sleeps — he's just been sleeping with CNN on through the night.
Work provides Garcon a few hours of daily escape from earthquake damage done to his mother's native land, where many of his relatives still live. He hasn't heard from all the relatives, but he hasn't heard the worst about any, so he takes that as good news.
“I wonder if they're watching [the games] or not, if they're all right, if they're able to watch, if they're safe,'' Garcon said. “I try to use it as motivation. The people would be mad at me if I went out there and played terribly, had a bad game. I'm representing them.''
"Tell you the truth I sleep with CNN on," the Colts' second-year wide receiver said this week as he prepared for today's AFC Championship Game. "I've been watching it since last Tuesday. Anderson Cooper, Larry King … every time there's breaking news, I'm trying to find out."
It hasn't been easy for Garcon to concentrate on football but he says he is using the earthquake in Haiti as "motivation," so that his friends and family back on the island can watch him excel as he represents them. After sparking the Colts' 20-3 victory over the Ravens last week, Garcon displayed the Haitian flag, a reminder of his passionate quest to raise funds for food and medical supplies.
Most, but not all, of Garcon's family has been accounted for. Many were saved in a twist of fate, according to his oldest sister, Michele.
You could say Garcon's that even if you forgot his close ties with Haiti, which he hopes you won't do. He's trying to raise money for earthquake recovery assistance through his website , and his Pierre Garcon Helping Hands Foundation.
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