Former Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson hosts shopping spree for kids

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Andre Johnson is no longer playing football, but the former Houston Texans wide receiver continues to give back to the community.

Johnson sponsored a shopping spree for a dozen kids in need at the Toys R Us in southwest Houston on Wednesday morning.

When you only have 80 seconds to choose gifts from an entire store, it takes planning to get it right. Ricky Edmond visited the store days ago.

"We came by here on Saturday and we looked around and just kind of getting ideas of what he wanted to get and his sister wanted some things," Shirley Bright said.

Edmond is one of a dozen kids who got to pick anything they wanted, with help from the Houston Texans cheerleaders. He also made sure he didn't forget his sister.

Ricky was asked what he was going to get his sister.

"These two!" Ricky said.

The children were chosen by Child Protective Services to take part in the toy giveaway, which Johnson has sponsored for nine years. It's something that always brings a smile to his face.

"When you grow up in certain situations you kind of understand so, there were times when I was not able to get what I wanted for Christmas. So I know that a lot kids don't get what they want for Christmas. This idea was brought to me and I just kind of took it and ran with it," Johnson said.

The total bill for this shopping spree was $19,144.58.

Johnson was asked about possibly retiring as a Texans player.

"It would be great if I could stay here and work with the Texans, but certain things have to happen. Right now I am focused on getting rest and just relaxing a little bit and other than that right now, I'm still enjoying the game but as a fan," he said.