The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are stepping as much as assist a grieving household in want.
The NFL group is donating $10,000 to the household concerned in a automobile accident on their approach to the Buccaneers’ November 4 Monday Evening Soccer recreation towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, ESPN reported.
The accident killed Connor Barba, 18, of Norman, Oklahoma, and significantly injured his mom, Megan Barnett.
In line with members of the family, Barnett stunned her son with tickets to the sport forward of his birthday so he might see his favourite participant, quarterback Baker Mayfield, play in individual.
“He was a soccer fan basically and a big-time Baker fan,” Barba’s uncle, Collin Barnett, informed Good Morning America on Thursday. “He needed to see Baker play. It was simply going to be a fantastic recreation.”
In line with a spokesperson for the Buccaneers, each Mayfield, 29, and his spouse, Emily Wilkinson, plan to achieve out to the household in personal to supply extra assist.
“My ideas and prayers exit to Megan and her household as they take care of this heartbreaking loss,” Mayfield stated in an announcement by way of ESPN. “I’m honored and humbled realizing that Connor was such an enormous fan. I might have cherished to have met him. As a brand new mum or dad, this actually hits residence for me.”
Mayfield and Wilkinson turned dad and mom once they welcomed a child woman in April. Most just lately, the household of three dressed up as Disney characters for Hollywood.
“I understand there aren’t any phrases that may present true consolation at a time comparable to this,” Mayfield continued in his assertion, “however I hope that Megan makes a full restoration and that she attracts energy from the outpouring of assist she is receiving from across the nation.”
In line with a GoFundMe web page, the mother-son duo had been concerned in a head-on collision on the way in which to Kansas Metropolis.
“Megan is at the moment within the ICU in Tulsa and has many accidents that may require intensive restoration,” the web page acknowledged. “We’re asking in your assist to assist with medical payments and funeral prices [for Connor].”
Thanks to just about 800 donations, the GoFundMe has already raised greater than $110,000 as of press time.
“It’s a fully terrible scenario that we’re in, however that is an unimaginable gesture of hope and kindness that’s been very useful to us,” Collin informed GMA. “Megan was a single mother, and Connor actually taken care of her, protected her and simply embraced that accountability. He completely didn’t must, however he cherished it. He cherished Megan.”