Daily Sports Smile: Buccaneers, Falcons team up to aid Hurricane Ian relief efforts
The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers united to help Hurricane Ian recovery efforts last week.
Both teams visited the American Red Cross of Central Florida to provide assistance at the Sarasota headquarters. Hurricane Ian made landfall in late September and many people across the state of Florida are still picking up the pieces.
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"Our message for today is just to let them know that there's people who care," said Brian Ford, the Bucs chief operating officer. "This is a unified mission to try to bring some help to people that deserve it and need it. It doesn't stop today. The American Red Cross is here and they're throughout the country.
"The National Football League, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just proud to lend our support and our thanks for what they do day in and day out."
Both teams helped Red Cross volunteers build comfort kits and kids care packages. They also helped deliver the packages to displaced families in the area.
Atlanta Falcons President and CEO Rich McKay told reporters that it was important to give back to the local community. McKay is no stranger to the area as he served as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager from 1994-2003.
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"When you can make an impact and bring awareness, not just the work we did here today, it's kind of the awareness of all that's going to go on here in south Florida and all that's needed. That's what we're here for," McKay said via NBC News affiliates.
As the storm threatened west and central Florida, the Buccaneers were forced to relocate their football operations to Miami for the week. There were contingency plans were in place. However, the Buccaneers were still able to play games at Raymond James Stadium.
The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 21-15 in Week 5. Tampa Bay improved to 3-2 overall while the Falcons fell to 2-3 this season.
Paste BN Sports+ producer Jaylon Thompson contributed to this report.