In times of turmoil, some of the most prominent sports figures in history have not been shy about stepping up and doing big things to help their community and our country. As the world continues to face off against a pandemic, the likes of which hasn’t been seen in nearly 100 years, a number of athletes and sports franchise owners have recently come together to help our country face the worst of this disease and its impact on our nation, head on.
At the same time, a number of prominent names and influential persons in the sports world have been surprisingly absent from the conversation or relief efforts. Of course, while not everyone wants their contributions publicized, we did our best to compile a list of sports figures who have been active and visible in the fight against COVID-19. Below is a list of some – not all – of the contributions being made by important sports figures across all four major sports in North America, as well as a “hint” at some of the figures who have not yet been as present as might be expected. We can certainly hope that those who could help, but haven’t been visible as of yet, are working on their plan and will soon step up and take on leadership roles in helping us all survive and become more resilient, as we face down this invisible enemy.
NFL
New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees and his wife put their money to work to help their neighbors and fans in the state of Louisiana fight COVID-19, to the tune of $5M.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft used the team’s private plane to help acquire 1.2 million masks from China, 900,000 of which were distributed to the state of Massechusetts, with the other 300,000 going to the state of New York.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Panthers owner David Tepper and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti all announced significant donations to fund efforts against the COVID-19 virus – the Arthur Blank Foundation put up $5.4M, and Tepper announced a $2.6M donation.
Giants owner John Mara and Steve Tisch donated money in the NY area to help offer free childcare to healthcare for the next 10 weeks.
Former Patriots-now-Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady joined a group of players, including Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and his wife, to help provide 10 million meals during the pandemic
Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence led a contingent of teammates to establish a relief fund for struggling restaurants in the DFW area, and helped feed healthcare workers at local hospitals who are valiantly working long shifts to combat the virus.
Houston Texans defensive lineman JJ Watt and his wife donated $350k to the Houston Food Bank, which will help provide over 1 million meals for people in need.
As of Monday, NFL players and owners had combined to donate over $43M in relief efforts.
NBA
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer donated a sum of $25M to help fund COVID-19 relief efforts in Los Angeles, Seattle and Eastern Michigan. $10M of that will be used to help speed up research for a new vaccine at the University of Washington.
The Clippers, along with the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings, have also established a fund to help pay arena employees through what would have been the end of the season.
Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry held an interview on his Youtube page with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading authority on the coronavirus in the U.S., that has been viewed over 1 million times on various platforms.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, also a star of CNBC’s Shark Tank, has led his organization to organize free meals for hospital workers, as well as teaming up with Mavs players Luka Doncic and Dwight Powell to donate $500,000 to support childcare for healthcare workers. He’s also utilized his considerable social media platform to call out those in politics he feels aren’t getting the job done.
Other controversial owners are making a difference, like the Cleveland Cavalier’s Dan Gilbert ($1.2M) and the New York Knicks’ James Dolan ($2.3M)
As of about a week ago, NBA players and owners had donated more than $38M and provided 1.5 million meals. They’ve also enlisted a slew of players to provide video PSAs on things like handwashing, social distancing and mental health on their NBA.com website.
MLB
Hal Steinbrenner and the Yankees established a $1.4M COVID-19 Relief Fund for eligible full and part-time employees working for the Yankees, NYCFC and Legends Hospitality.
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper donated $500,000 to help patients in need in both Philadelphia and his hometown Las Vegas.
Houston Astros star pitcher Justin Verlander announced and he and his wife will donate his weekly salary of around $33K to different COVID-19 relief organizations each week. Teammates George Springer and Alex Bregman also pledged to help, with Springer donating $100,000 to help pay Minute Maid Park employees, and Bregman promising 1,000 meals to the Houston Food Bank.
The Boston Red Sox have grown their fund for part-time employees at Fenway Park to $1.5M.
NHL
Several stars around the league donated items to be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the COVID-19 Response Fund.
Hockey equipment manufacturer Bauer has shifted their operations from making helmets to making medical shields, used by nurses, doctors and first responders to be worn as an extra layer of protection outside of their masks.
OTHER SPORTS
An eclectic group of athletes joined forces to donate items that will be auctioned off for relief fund efforts, including Warriors point guard Steph Curry, USWNT midfielder Rose Lavelle, and 23-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps. Auctions have raised over $180,000 to date.
A PLEA FOR HELP
There are a slew of athletes and owners across the sports landscape who are doing everything in their power to help those in need, while also helping to ensure the quickest possible return of the sport they love. Unfortunately, there are others who have remained on the sidelines, and whose efforts (at least, to this point) have been left wanting. Perhaps it’s worth asking the owners and brightest players in the world – do they love their sport enough to do everything in their power to help break the back of this virus, to help their fans and fellow Americans get back on their feet, and by doing so, bring back their upcoming seasons with stadiums and arenas full of grateful, healthy fans?
YOUR TURN
Do you want to be part of the solution? Thinking of ways you can help? Reach out and call a neighbor or friend and just ask how they’re doing. Engage in neighborhood message boards to help coordinate supplies for families who may be in need. Make a donation, whatever you can afford, to a good cause in the war on COVID-19. And then, write an email to someone in sports who you admire, whose team you support, tell them what you have done and ask them to help, too.
I recently donated blood at my local blood bank, a simple and easy (and safe!) process that you can also take part in by searching for the donation center nearest you. Websites like Independencecorps.org are accepting donations to buy CDC compliant hand sanitizers to donate to fire, police and hospitals in NYC and Ft. Worth, Irving and El Paso, Texas, among other locations. Others, like BeTheMatch.org and FeedingAmerica.org are taking donations, and you can even search for a charity in your local area that you would want to be a part of. We can ALL be a part of the solution – if we face it together. Josh Harris, the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner, may have said it best in a written statement he gave after reversing his decision to lay of 1,500 part time workers amid the pandemic…
“This is an extraordinary time in our world — unlike any most of us have ever lived through before — and ordinary business decisions are not enough to meet the moment. To our staff and fans, I apologize for getting this wrong.”
Let’s hope more owners and sports figures continue to rise to this extraordinary time in our world, and fewer have to make statements like this.
Roy White III is a former On Air Personality at CBS Radio/Entercom in Dallas, 105.3 The Fan
