These Professional Athletes Are Giving Back in Big Ways During the PandemicDrew Krieson May 18, 2020 at 4:22 pm

Recently, many athletes stepped up to give back to their communities ever since statewide shutdowns and stay-at-home orders began in March. And in times like these, every little bit helps.

Athletes Giving Back During COVID-19

One of the first athletes to provide support was Cleveland Cavaliers PF, Kevin Love. When the NBA suspended the 2019-2020 season, Love quickly came to the support of arena workers in the Cavs organization. The team decided to support hourly workers already but Love’s donation of 100,000 kickstarted a trend of support from athletes.

Another NBA player who made headlines was New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson. With the season on hold, Williamson pledged to cover the salaries of all the workers at the Smoothie King Center.

NBA players aren’t the only professional athletes offering their support during the pandemic. In the sports world, there are plenty of couples doing their part too.

Power couple Ciara and Russel Wilson pledged a donation of one million meals to Food Lifeline. The state of Washington, including the Seattle area, has been hit hard by the virus, and the Wilsons’ support will go a long way. Fellow NFL quarterback, Drew Brees, and his wife, Brittany, also pledged $5 million to the coronavirus relief fund for the state of Louisiana.

This next athlete is known for his generosity during crises. When Hurricane Harvey hit the city of Houston back in 2017, Texans defensive end JJ Watt came through big time when he helped raise over $37 million to rebuild the city. And now, he and his wife are doing it again. Watt and his wife, Kealia Ohai, who plays for the Chicago Red Stars, have pledged $350,000 to Houston food banks. Their donation will provide over a million meals to people in need in the city.

The last power couple who are offering support during this time is also from the Houston area. Astros pitcher, Justin Verlander, and his wife, Kate Upton, announced on Instagram that they would donate Justin’s weekly MLB checks to different charities during the pandemic. The MLB season has been suspended indefinitely, but the league decided it would continue to pay its players. Justin and Kate’s contribution isn’t the only way they are helping. They’ve also funded the donation of masks and protective equipment to Detroit’s first responders.

One company has found a way to offer support in a unique way. Fanatics, an online retailer of sportswear, started the All In Challenge, which allows fans to bid on a variety of different experiences. A $10 donation will give you 10 entries into a contest of your choosing, and all the proceeds will go directly to charities in need. Some contests you can win are 5 years of season tickets for your favorite team, or the opportunity to play 18 holes with Phil Mickelson. There are plenty of experiences that are non-sports related too, so everyone can find something they like.

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