The NFL, along with many other organizations, has worked quickly to organize relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are doing their part to participate in the NFL Hurricane Relief Weekend during their home opener on Sunday, September 18.
Volunteers from the American Red Cross will be on hand to collect monetary donations at every gate as fans enter Raymond James Stadium for the Buccaneers game against the Buffalo Bills.
The National Football League has designated week two of its season (September 18-19) as Hurricane Relief Weekend, which will culminate with an unprecedented fundraising telethon that will be part of ABC's Monday Night Football. As part of the fundraiser, public service announcements featuring players from several NFL teams are scheduled to run throughout the telecast. Buccaneers WR Michael Clayton, a native of Baton Rouge and a former LSU Tiger, is one of the players scheduled to appear to ask for the continuation of monetary donations to benefit those displaced from the Gulf Coast.
In addition to fan donations, several Buccaneer players have pledged to donate money to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts either based on their performances during the game or through straight donations. Players donating money to hurricane relief include Ronde Barber, Michael Clayton, Brian Griese, Dexter Jackson, Jermaine Phillips, Shelton Quarles, Simeon Rice, Jeb Terry, Kenyatta Walker, Carnell Williams and Ellis Wyms.
