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#FeelGoodFriday: DeAndre Hopkins gives teddy bears to kids in hospital

Aaron Hendel

For all but a select few sports fans, much of the news surrounding teams and players is far from good. Losses, injuries, playoff eliminations, suspensions, last-place fantasy football punishments, you name it.

So, we decided to put together something that can bring a smile to every sports fan’s face: Yahoo Sports’ #FeelGoodFriday Sports News!

DeAndre Hopkins gives teddy bears to kids in hospital

Texans star wideout DeAndre Hopkins had perhaps the best catches in the NFL this season, but this time it was his handoffs that made a difference.

Houston wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins made a jaw-dropping catch against Miami, although the play didn’t stand because of a penalty. (AP)
Houston wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins made a jaw-dropping catch against Miami, although the play didn’t stand because of a penalty. (AP)

Hopkins and teammate Brian Peters joined Houston police officers at Texas Children’s Hospital to hang out with excited patients. The kids received autographs as well as teddy bears rocking Texans and Houston Police Department shirts. Patients were also named honorary cops for the day as part of the “Badges and Bears” event.

“Seeing a lot of smiles, seeing a lot of cheers … today was awesome,” Hopkins said.

Peters deserves a special shout-out and a “Happy Birthday” for choosing to celebrate in the best way possible.

Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin present donated playground equipment

The Griffin brothers are a walking feel-good story. They never cease to amaze, nor do they take anything for granted.

Seahawks LB Shaquem and CB Shaquill presented students at Park Orchard Elementary School in Washington brand-new playground equipment, which of course, the guys tested out with their new pals.

The Seahawks' Shaquem Griffin puts in some serious playground work. (Photo courtesy of Steve Hunter, Kent Reporter)
The Seahawks’ Shaquem Griffin puts in some serious playground work. (Photo courtesy of Steve Hunter, Kent Reporter)

“It’s for all students – no matter if you have one hand or two hands,” Shaquem said, alluding to the fact he had one of his hands amputated at a young age. “You get a chance to have fun with all of your classmates, and I think that’s very important.”

The donation came through a grant to the Dream Builders Foundation, an organization the Griffins work with.

Saquon Barkley, Giants rookies bring Halloween to hospital

On the one day a year when rookies wear costumes by choice, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and his fellow first-year teammates surprised kids at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in New Jersey.

“We just … tried to put a smile on kids’ faces,” said Barkley, aka Super Mario.

Luigi, Batman, Mr. Incredible, Captain America, and … ketchup (Will Hernandez) were all there, too.

Malcolm Brogdon’s ‘Starting 5’ bring clean water to East Africa

Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon took a trip to Ghana with his family when he was 10. After seeing the hardship people faced there, Brogdon promised himself he would one day do something about it.

Brogdon is living up to that promise with the launch of Hoops2O, an initiative to raise money for clean water wells in Africa.

He recruited two of his college teammates at Virginia, Justin Anderson of the Hawks and Joe Harris of the Nets, along with Garrett Temple of the Grizzlies and Anthony Tolliver of the Timberwolves, to join the cause and make up the “Starting 5.”

Brogdon drew inspiration from another former UVA Cavalier, Chris Long of the Philadelphia Eagles, who created a similar initiative in 2015 called “Waterboys.” The two organizations will work together for their common goal.

Sole female tennis player from UAE in Special Olympics strives for gold

To serve you into the weekend, check out this awesome profile on Clara Lehmkuhl, who is the only women’s tennis competitor in next year’s Special Olympics World Games to hail from the United Arab Emirates.

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