Breaking: Quinn Ewers, the captain of the Texas Longhorns, and his teammates have donated $5.8 million to transform a property into a sanctuary for elderly people experiencing homelessness in Texas.

In a time when headlines in college football often focus on NIL deals, transfer portals, and coaching carousel chaos, a new story out of Austin is turning heads for a very different reason. Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers, along with several teammates, has stepped forward in an unprecedented act of compassion and leadership. The players have pooled together a staggering $5.8 million to purchase and renovate a property in central Texas, transforming it into a sanctuary for elderly individuals experiencing homelessness.

This isn’t just a token gesture or a feel-good photo op. The initiative, which is being hailed by community leaders as one of the most significant privately-led collegiate philanthropy efforts in recent memory, aims to provide long-term housing, medical support, and dignity to one of the most vulnerable populations in the state.

It all started with a conversation in the locker room during the spring semester, according to sources close to the program. Ewers, a native Texan who’s no stranger to the disparities in his home state, had recently read a report detailing the sharp rise in elderly homelessness across Texas — particularly among those aged 60 and above, who are too often overlooked in traditional outreach programs.

“Football gives us a platform,” Ewers said during an emotional press conference outside the property, which is located on the outskirts of Austin. “But at some point, we have to ask ourselves: What are we doing with it? This isn’t just about throwing touchdowns. This is about leaving a legacy.”

Ewers, who is widely regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, worked with his financial advisors to allocate a large portion of his NIL earnings to the project. What followed was a groundswell of support from his teammates. Linebacker Jaylan Ford, wide receiver Xavier Worthy, and offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. were among the first to join in. Soon, over two dozen players contributed to the cause.

“We had guys giving six figures,” said Worthy. “Not because we were trying to one-up each other, but because we believed in the mission. We believed in what Quinn was trying to do.”

The property, a 10-acre plot with several standing buildings that previously operated as a retreat center, will be transformed into a full-service living community called “The Oak Haven Sanctuary.” The site will include individual cottages, a medical clinic, a dining hall, a mental health support center, and a recreation facility.

Construction is slated to begin in early summer, with a target opening date set for spring 2026.

Oak Haven Sanctuary will focus exclusively on elderly individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness. These residents, often suffering from physical and mental health conditions, will receive long-term care, not just temporary shelter.

According to the Texas Homeless Network, the number of people aged 60 and older without permanent housing has nearly doubled in the past decade. Rising housing costs, limited retirement savings, and a lack of family support have pushed many seniors onto the streets.

The effort has received crucial backing from the University of Texas and several local nonprofit partners. The Texas Center for Housing Innovation, Central Texas Food Bank, and Mobile Loaves & Fishes have all pledged logistical and operational support.

Dr. Catherine O’Donnell, Director of Social Impact at UT, praised the players’ leadership: “This is unprecedented. We’ve had donations before. We’ve had fundraisers. But to see student-athletes take initiative at this scale — it’s the very definition of servant leadership.”

Ewers and his teammates are also establishing a board of advisors, which will include experts in geriatric care, affordable housing, and community development. The board will oversee operations, ensure transparency, and shape the long-term vision of the sanctuary.

The name-image-likeness (NIL) era has transformed college athletics, making it possible for student-athletes to earn money for endorsements, appearances, and social media partnerships. But it has also drawn criticism — some argue that it distracts from education or fosters entitlement.

Ewers and company have flipped that narrative.

“We wanted to show that NIL money can do more than just buy cars and jewelry,” said Ford. “It can build something lasting. Something that matters.”

Some players have even designated a portion of their ongoing NIL earnings to fund maintenance and services at the sanctuary. Others have pledged to return after graduation to continue supporting the community.

One of the most poignant moments came during a visit to a local homeless encampment, where the players met several elderly residents who shared their stories of hardship.

“We sat with a 72-year-old man who had been on the streets since his wife died,” Banks recalled. “He was a Vietnam vet, had worked his whole life, and then just… slipped through the cracks.”

That conversation became a rallying cry for the team.

“We said, ‘No more,’” said Ewers. “No more of our elders suffering while we stand on the sidelines.”

The players have also begun organizing volunteer shifts with local shelters and outreach centers, using their offseason to engage directly with those they hope to help.

The news of the donation has been met with widespread acclaim.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said he was “blown away” by his players’ maturity and heart.

“I preach character and leadership every day in the locker room,” Sarkisian said. “But these guys — they lived it. They went beyond the game and did something extraordinary.”

Alumni, fans, and even rival schools have taken notice. Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold tweeted, “Respect. This is bigger than football. Props to Quinn and the Longhorns.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement praising the effort and offering to streamline any regulatory hurdles for the project’s construction.

Oak Haven Sanctuary could become a model for similar athlete-led philanthropic efforts nationwide. Already, players from other schools have reached out to Ewers to ask how they might replicate the initiative.

“There’s no patent on kindness,” Ewers said. “If other teams want to do this in their states, we’ll help however we can.”

And it’s not just players reaching out — foundations and corporate partners are also expressing interest. Several companies have already approached the Longhorns about matching funds or providing in-kind support, from solar panels to medical equipment.

For Ewers, this initiative may be just the beginning. Though he’s expected to declare for the NFL Draft at the end of the upcoming season, he says he plans to stay deeply involved with Oak Haven, both financially and personally.

“This is my home,” he said. “I want to make sure this sanctuary grows and thrives — long after I hang up the cleats.”

And as for his teammates?

“We’re all in,” said Worthy. “This isn’t a one-time thing. It’s part of who we are now.”

In the ultra-competitive world of college football, it’s easy to reduce players to stats, rankings, and draft boards. But what Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns have done challenges that paradigm.

They’ve shown that greatness isn’t just measured in touchdowns or trophies — but in the lives you lift up when no one’s watching.

As the sanctuary begins to take shape in the coming months, the people of Texas — especially those too often forgotten — will bear witness to the profound impact of compassion backed by action.