Garcon keeps Haiti close to his heart

Associated Press

ANDERSON, Ind.

Pierre Garcon loves playing football.

He also learned there’s more to life than just his job.

Nearly seven months after a destructive earthquake hit Haiti, the Colts receiver remains as focused as ever. Yes, he wants to win a Super Bowl and still hopes to make a Pro Bowl, but he also intends to continue raising money for his parents’ home nation.

“It’s become a big part of me,” Garcon said. “It’s something I’ll have to deal with all the time now, that’s basically it. It will be a part of me forever.”

Garcon’s journey began shortly after the quake struck in January.

He started using Twitter and his platform in the NFL playoffs to ask Americans for donations online and in interviews, promising he would personally take those supplies to Haiti.

In April, armed with about $150,000, Garcon found enough time between college classes to visit the island nation with his mother and sister. They spent several days walking through the streets, handing out food, water, clothing and assisting in the rebuilding projects.

For the guy with the tough NFL veneer, it was heartbreaking to see the damage.

“It looked like it did the day after [the earthquake],” Garcon said. “It was tough to see people in that environment, to live like that, and I had a chance to help them out.”

A few weeks later and a world away, Garcon and the Colts were getting ready to start a new season.

His breakout year was solid — 47 passes for 765 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner at Miami. Then, in the playoffs, with his mind understandably split between football and family, he thrived.

Against Baltimore, in the divisional round, Garcon’s punch knocked the ball out of Ed Reed’s hands and changed the game. The next week, in the AFC title game, Garcon had a career-best 11 receptions for 151 yards and one TD against the Jets. He also caught Peyton Manning’s only TD pass in the Super Bowl.

But Haiti was never far from his mind.

Garcon carried the nation’s flag around Lucas Oil Stadium after beating the Jets, and walked into media day in Miami wearing a bandanna with the Haitian flag logo. His Twitter page was constantly updated with offers of autographed photos in exchange for contributions to the relief fund, and during interviews, he always made a pitch for help.

“I wanted the people to know that nobody was forgotten,” he said. “That was our goal, to help them and motivate them.”

The Colts supported Garcon all along the way — and still do.