Third Annual Houston Texans Frank Ross Coaches Cup Leads to Accomplished Protest

Samuel Allen woke up under a bridge in Houston Friday morning with a green hat, black shirt and blue jean shorts — a few possessions he owned tucked into a black backpack. When he woke up, Allen said he would have a “good day.” However, given his current state, Allen was unsure how to carry out his morning proclamation. He simply believed.

Allen’s belief led to his inclusion as one of several people in the Reach the Homeless organization – who participated in the third annual Coaches’ Cuts hosted by Houston Texans special teams coordinator, Frank Ross.

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Allen arrived at Empire Barber Studio for a free haircut. He also received a shower, dental work and a meal, all sponsored by Moving Waters, Hiner Family Dentistry and Olive Garden, respectively.

“Giving someone a haircut can really change their confidence and their appearance, and it’s just about trying to help them put one foot in front of the other,” Ross said. “I’m not a big fan of helping. I wanted to help someone’s soul. I wanted to let these men know that there are people in their community who are trying to make you feel good and help you. help get started.”

When he’s not teaching punt protection at NRG Stadium, Ross cuts hair, both his own and those of the community. Cutting hair began as a strategic plan to help Ross keep money in his pocket during his college career at John Carroll University. He quickly realized that offering haircuts was the best way to give back to his community.

Ross developed a passion for helping those less fortunate after watching his mother volunteer at a soup kitchen for 30 years in Ohio. Coaches’ Cut is a tribute to the lessons of giving back that he learned from his mother.

Ross’s belief agreed with Julian Diaz, the owner of Empire Barber Studio. They started partnering two years ago and providing haircuts at Star of Hope Houston. Diaz remembers meeting one of the former participants at a Walmart, who now had a job and was living in better care.

“He came up with the idea of ​​doing Coaches’ Cut to give haircuts to some of the less fortunate guys and those who are trying to do better in life,” Diaz said. “One of the first things you need to do when you’re trying to get back on your feet is look presentable and have a good appearance. He did a great job coming up with that idea.”

Diaz and his team had to overcome their respective adversity, which put the event into question. A week before the event, Empire Barber Studio was hit hard by the deadly storm that left eight people dead across the city.

Part of the roof of Diaz’s store was torn off during the storm. Without power, Diaz and his team had to spend the next few days cutting hair in the parking lot — a tent covered his business while a generator provided power.

“It’s a blessing; the outside isn’t the same, but we’re going to bounce back,” Diaz said. “The main thing was to get these guys looking good so they can get back on their feet. They have more things to worry about than I do right now. I’m just lucky to have the “opportunity to achieve this.”

Five players accompanied Ross to the Empire Barber Studio. A week ago, he presented the idea to his players during a special team meeting, and his dedication aligned with that of Azeez Al-Shaair.

The veteran linebacker experienced homelessness in high school and once lived in a hotel room with his entire family. Al-Shaair saw himself in each of the participants in Reach the Homeless. However, he took a liking to Allen.

Al-Shaair said listening to the 20-year-old share his story about faith and protest illustrated the foundation he lived on during his time on the move.

Allen left Empire Barber Studio, grateful that his protest had come to fruition. He also came away with a new sense of hope after Al-Shaair shared the story of his perseverance in his hometown of Tampa, Florida, nearly a decade ago.

“What are the chances of this happening,” Al-Shaair said. “We’re having this event today, and he’s sitting under a bridge thinking he’s going to have a great day. These are the kinds of things I had to do myself when I was in this position.

“People don’t understand how much Frank changes people’s lives with something so small, like giving people haircuts and clothes. I’m grateful to have someone like that whose heart matches to what I am.”

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Follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24.