Five athletes going above and beyond amid coronavirus
These athletes have spent their downtime trying to use their fame and wealth to help out during the coronavirus
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Your support makes all the difference.The coronavirus pandemic has all but shut down professional sports in the United States, but that hasn’t stopped some professional athletes from stepping up to help during the crisis.
Here are five athletes that are using their time off to help their neighbours during the coronavirus.
1. Dallas Cowboy DeMarcus Lawrence
DeMarcus Lawrence launched an online marketplace where people can buy gift cards from small to midsize companies to help support them through the pandemic.
As more Americans are being asked to shelter in place and avoid going out unless absolutely necessary, small retailers and restaurants are taking huge losses, and in many cases are being forced to lay their staff off.
Mr Lawrence, along with his teammates Daniel Ross and Jaylon Smith, also helped a pair of food truck owners serve meals to first responders. Much of the food prepared that day was given to local law enforcement agencies around the region.
2. New Orleans Pelican Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson said in an Instagram post that he would pay for the salaries of the Smoothie King Center staff for the next month.
“The people of New Orleans have been incredibly welcoming and supportive since I was drafted by the Pels last June, and some of the most special people I have met are those who work at Smoothie King Center,” he wrote.
He pointed out that many people who work at the centre are still recovering from the fallout created by Hurricane Katrina, and are especially susceptible to economic instability.
“My mother has always set an example for me about being respectful for others and being grateful for what we have, and so today I am pledging to cover the salaries for all those Smoothie King Center workers for the next 30 days,” he wrote.
3. Cleveland Cavalier Kevin Love
Similarly, Kevin Love donated $100,000 to the staff at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.
Also announcing via Instagram post, Mr Love said he wanted to help alleviate the anxiety of a sudden economic shift by helping lessen the impact of the coronavirus economy on the staff at the facility.
“I’m concerned about the level of anxiety that everyone is feeling that is why I’m committing $100,000 through the @KevinLoveFund in support of the @Cavs arena and support staff that had a sudden life shift due to the suspension of the NBA season,” he wrote. “I hope that during this time of crisis, others will join me in supporting our communities.”
4. The entire Milwaukee Bucks team
Milwaukee Bucks MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo said he would pledge $100,000 to help lessen the financial burden on the Fiserv Forum staff, and shortly after that, his teammate Khris Middleton said he would match the donation.
“It’s bigger than basketball! And during this tough time I want to help the people that make my life, my family’s lives and my teammates’ lives easier. Me and my family pledge to donate $100,000 to the Fiserv Forum staff. We can get through this together,” he wrote on Twitter.
Before long, the entire roster had pledged to make donations to the impacted workers to cover their salaries for the next 30 days.
“We want everyone to know that if you are working with us, we have your back,” Alex Lasry, senior vice president of the Milwaukee Bucks told CNBC. “We want to make sure you are able to get through this unprecedented time.”
5. Athletes for COVID-19 Relief
A consortium of athletes have banned together on crowdfunding site PledgeIt to raise money for coronavirus relief efforts.
Individuals can donate money for a chance to win a piece of signed memorabilia from the dozens of athletes participating.
The athletes come from across the sports spectrum, including Olympic snowboarder Shaun White offering a signed snowboard, former Red Sox DH David Ortiz offering a signed jersey, NASCAR driver Dale Earnheardt, Jr. offering a pair of signed skeleton gloves, and legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk offering a signed skateboard.
Rose Lavelle of the Washington Spirit soccer club is offering a signed jersey and currently has outraised everyone else on the site with more than $6,500 donations.
In total, the group has raised just over $40,000.
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