Chuck Norris is back on camera. The State of Texas recruited the famed action star to be in a new Public Service Announcement.
The last time Texas called on Norris, he played the title character in Walker, Texas Ranger. The show ended in 2001 amid a flurry of roundhouse kicks.
Now the 82-year-old action hero is back, but he’s delivering far fewer kicks.
On August 16, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and the Texas Department of Public Safety launched a new PSA featuring Norris. It’s meant to raise awareness around the state’s iWatchTexas community reporting system.
Basically, iWatchTexas users can access a phone number or website to report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
As Norris stated in the video, “Whether it’s criminal acts, terror threats, or someone wanting to harm children, if you see something, say something.”
iWatchTexas isn’t new. It launched several years ago. Gov. Abbott is drawing more attention to the program in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting.
Abbott and leaders around Texas are scrambling to help kids feel safe as they return to school. But not everyone is thrilled to see Chuck Norris taking this message to kids. Critics said programs like iWatchTexas aren’t great at preventing crimes or violence. They can even be counterproductive because people feel like they might get in trouble if they ask for help.
And while adults may get a kick out of seeing the bearded bombshell back on camera, many are asking if the aging action hero is the best ambassador to carry such an important message to children.