In just a few hours on July 4-5, Central Texas was inundated by over a foot of rain as remnants of Tropical Storm Barry stalled across the Hill Country, triggering flash floods that surged the Guadalupe River up to 29 feet—its second-highest on record. Homes, cabins, and even campsites vanished under muddy torrents, leaving at least 70 people dead, including dozens of children, and dozens more missing amid chaotic rescue efforts.

In the aftermath, local and state officials deployed emergency crews and resources with federal aid now flowing under a disaster declaration—and groups from Kerrville to Austin organized shelters, meal services, and critical supply drive hubs to shore up these battered towns. And now, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys, along with the Texans and the NFL Foundation, have combined to contribute $1.5 million to communities affected by the flooding.

“The National Football League’s two Texas-based teams—the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans—are uniting with the NFL Foundation to support the victims’ families and survivors of the heartbreaking floods in central Texas. Together they will contribute $1.5 million to provide both immediate assistance and long-term resources to those most impacted by the catastrophic flooding,” the statement read.

Janice, Hannah, and Cal McNair have pledged to donate $500K, including $500K from the NFL Foundation and Jerry Jones’ Cowboys, respectively. The donation aims to assist the victims’ families and survivors affected by the Central Texas floods. “We are heartbroken by the loss and damage that our neighbors in the Texas Hill Country have endured,” Janice, Hannah, and Cal McNair said in a statement. “We are especially devastated to hear about the children who are still missing and we are praying they are reunited with their families soon.”

The death toll continues to rise, and if the reports are accurate, 59 casualties have occurred in Kerr County alone. That includes 38 adults and 21 children. Travis County, home to the state capital, Austin, on the other hand, reported at least four deaths. After announcing the combined donation, the Cowboys also released their statement, expressing their grief for the lives lost and those who were deeply impacted by the floods.

“Our hearts are heavy as we witness the devastation and loss of life caused by the floods in Kerr county and Texas Hill County, especially for the young girls and their families, as well as all of those lost and their loved ones,” they said in a statement. “…Standing side by side with The Salvation Army’s critical response, we are also donating $500,000 to provide immediate resources for rescue, relief and long term recovery efforts.”

However, the internet doesn’t seem to be happy with the $1.5 million contribution. The reason? Well, the folks out there are debating that the teams could have donated much more than that.

People argued the teams should have donated more

Even as the Cowboys, Texans, and NFL Foundation issued statements of solidarity and pledged $1.5 million to help affected County people, plenty of Texans felt a hollow ring behind the headlines. The tone online was hardly celebratory. For many, the scale of suffering—70 dead, countless missing children, an entire neighborhood erased—seemed to dwarf the significance of a seven-figure check. As one person put it bluntly, “It’s a drop in the bucket when we know how much they combined make annually.”

That frustration right there? It found momentum fast. Another fan pointed out that between the two franchises, there’s more than $15 billion in estimated valuation. “Feel like they should have donated a lot more than 1.5M when both of the texas teams combined are worth over 15 billion,” they wrote. Well, if we do the math, $1.5M amounts to less than one-tenth of one percent of their collective worth. No wonder frustration is brewing among the people.

“One of the highest-grossing corporations with several multi-billionaires could achieve only $1.5 million? Seems like a grossly low number,” read another comment that quickly raised questions. Dallas, Houston, and the NFL came in support. No doubt. But folks are questioning whether it was enough. Others didn’t hold back sarcasm. “Slow down @NFL @dallascowboys @HoustonTexans don’t give too much money, you might not have enough for lawyers fees, a yacht and a new stadium marketing plan. Such a joke.”

That sentiment captured a broader sense of exasperation among fans who feel corporations too often frame modest donations as outsized generosity. Especially when entire towns are still underwater and families are grieving the lost ones. “That’s it…that’s like me donating a penny and then press releasing it,” one fan wasn’t sugarcoating it, while straight-up taunting the organizations.

One thing seems clear now. For all the genuine good this relief funding will do, it also serves as a reminder that public goodwill in a crisis isn’t guaranteed. They have to earn it by matching the scale of the need. At least the people out there feel this.