Sports at all levels have been on hold for months now due to covid-19 concerns. While this means lost revenue for these teams, it isn’t stopping them from helping the people most in need during this pandemic. Check out some of the creative ways teams and players are helping to create hope.

Medical Doctor Turned Pro Football Player Joins the Front Lines

Kansas City Chiefs player and Super Bowl champ Laurent Duvernay-Tardif’s has skills both on and off the football field. Before joining the NFL, Duvernay-Tardif earned a doctorate of medicine and has now returned to the health field in order to help on the front lines of covid-19. Although he doesn’t hold a medical license yet, last week health officials called for medical students and graduates to lend their help wherever they can. Duvernay-Tardif immediately signed up to work and was placed at a long-term care facility near Montreal in a nursing role.

Right now, the future of the NFL’s 2020 season is still in question. The first games may be postponed until late fall, teams may play in empty stadiums, or the season could be cancelled altogether. Duvernay-Tardif says it’s too soon to say when sports will return, but that if teams aren’t playing come September, “there are going to be bigger issues than not playing football.” Find out more about his efforts in the medical field here: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/sports/super-bowl-champ-puts-medical-degree-to-work-helping-in-coronavirus-fight

Unused Souvenir T-Shirts Transform Into Face Masks

Because professional sports seasons have been postponed indefinitely, teams across the country have been left with all kinds of unused promotional materials. Rather than letting them go to waste, sports teams across the Bay Area have united to pool their souvenir t-shirts together and donate them to San Francisco retailer Timbuk2. The brand has been manufacturing face masks and bandanas throughout the pandemic and will use the shirts to make up to 50,000 more.

According to Emily Raimondi, Senior Director of Marketing at NBC Sports California, the seven Bay Area pro sports teams pulled together more than 10,000 promotional shirts in less than a week. Though the masks aren’t medical grade, they will be distributed to Bay Area Community Services and other local groups for the general public to use. Check out the full story here: https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/28/coronavirus-bay-area-sports-teams-unite-to-provide-material-for-face-masks/

Connecticut Sports Teams Band Together

On the other side of the country, local Connecticut sports teams have also banded together to create a motivational PSA. Players from eight professional teams across the state recorded messages for their fans, reminding them to stay safe and stand together. Connecticut Suns player Jasmine Thomas both organized the effort and encouraged fans to donate to the Connecticut COVID-19 Charity Connection.

Activisits created this charity, also know as 4-CT, to support Connecticut nonprofits that serve those who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The money raised will help fund emergency childcare, housing for the homeless, domestic violence shelters, personal protective equipment for healthcare workers and more. Learn more about the video and organization here: https://www.courant.com/sports/hc-sp-connecticut-pro-teams-coronavirus-relief-psa-20200501-20200501-kwc6elj2zbdsrhujr3f4lwydk4-story.html

LA Sports Merchandise Sale

LA sports fans, now is your time to shine. The Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Sparks and Galaxy all joined forces in order to create an ongoing “Teams for LA” online sale featuring sports merchandise including jerseys, hats, bobbleheads and more. All proceeds will go directly to the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles to support covid-19 emergency response activities. Fans may also make additional donations, which will go toward teams’ donations to local shelters and nonprofits.

So far, the teams have donated more than 30,000 items to be auctioned off. In addition to team products, the site will also offer memorabilia from events held in the Staples Center or Dignity Health Sports Park, such as All-Star games, boxing events and even the Grammys. Find the website and read on here: https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-04-21/la-sports-merchandise-sale-help-those-impacted-by-coronavirus