Auburn player learns family OK

AUBURN, Ala. – An Auburn football player who spent days believing his two younger brothers were killed in Hurricane Katrina and not knowing his father’s whereabouts has discovered that all three are alive and staying in Houston.

Alonzo Horton, a New Orleans native, said he learned Sunday night that his family members were alive after calling a cousin to tell them of the boys’ deaths.

“He said, ‘Man, that didn’t happen because your daddy’s right here with me.’ I was like, ‘What?’ ” Horton said Monday.

“I heard their voice and the phone died out, so I knew that they were OK.”

Horton said another cousin had told him 6-year-old Delorean and Jerry, who just turned 8, died after taking refuge in the Abramson High School gymnasium in New Orleans. Horton had said Saturday that his father remained unaccounted for.

He said that was the only confirmation he had received of their deaths. Horton’s mother and other family members are staying in Atlanta.

His reaction to the good news?

“Just a sigh of relief,” he said. “I can’t really explain how I felt when I heard that. I just can’t wait to see them. I can’t wait to talk to them again.

“I still kept hope in the back of my mind,” Horton said. “I prayed every night that they were all right.”

Horton said he didn’t know whether the youngsters ever took shelter in the gym.

“I don’t know and I don’t really care about it, as long as they’re OK,” he said.