In the wake of destruction caused by massive tornado in Oklahoma on Monday that left at least 91 dead, two professional athletes with Oklahoma roots have gone above and beyond the call to help out their fellow Sooners.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant donated a generous $1 million Tuesday to the American Red Cross through his family’s foundation.
“As the day went on and I saw the footage and the casualties and the houses being blown away, it was tough to see,” Durant told ESPN. “I call Oklahoma City my home. I go through Moore all the time. It’s unfortunate. We’re going to come together as a city like we always do and we’re going to bounce back.”
While he was out-of-town when the twisters went through suburban Oklahoma City, he has since returned and made arrangements to visit those most affected by the storms.
Durant’s donation was matched by the National Basketball Association and the player’s union.
In addition, Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp announced via Twitter that he will give $1,000 to the relief efforts in his home state for every home run he hits between now and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game on July 15.
I’m giving $1000 for tonight’s HR and every HR until the All-Star break for the victims of my hometown in OKC. #PrayforOklahoma
— Matt Kemp (@TheRealMattKemp) May 21, 2013
Kemp grew up near Moore, Okla., which was hardest hit by this week’s storms, and was a junior in high school when an EF-5 tornado ravaged the town in May 1999. The death toll in Moore from Monday’s EF-5 twister now stands at 24, including several children who perished at Plaza Towers Elementary School.
“And this one hit a school,” he told MLB.com reporter Ken Gurnick Monday night. “I know where the schools are. My mom lived in a house in Moore and we gave it to my aunt and uncle. They weren’t home today, but they said two blocks away there’s nothing left. I’ve never been through an earthquake, but I’ve seen what a tornado can do and you just can’t even believe it.”
While he has only hit two home runs so far this season – the second one coming just Monday – he has also pledged to give an additional $250,000 to the cause.
