Pitching in to the dire situation in Flint, some Detroit Lions, led by defensive end Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah traveled to Flint on Friday to donate 94,000 bottles of water.
“I am thankful to be in a position to do something about this,” Ansah said in a statement. “I can only hope this helps as a more permanent solution is being determined. It speaks volumes that my teammates were happy to jump on board and support as well.”
“These are our fans. These are the people that support us and it means something to be able to help them as well.”
Dave Birkett reported that a number of defensemen linemen chipped in on the effort, including including Haloti Ngata, Darryl Tapp, Jason Jones, Gabe Wright & Caraun Reid. The Detroit Lions organization has also made an undisclosed contribution to the United Way, specifically targeted to fund the truck delivering water to Flint.Lions Pro Bowl DE Ziggy Ansah, who wears No. 94, is delivering 94,000 bottles of water to Flint today. pic.twitter.com/xj027yuPZs
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) January 22, 2016
Photos of @Ziggy_Ansah & #Lions teammates donating bottled water in Flint on Friday: https://t.co/r4aVzy1vxr pic.twitter.com/kAVhg7i0Zu — Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 23, 2016
Other NFL players are joining in to help. Flint native Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls has said he will go to Flint and help in the weeks ahead.
“That’s where I grew up at,” Rawls, who is in Seattle recovering from a season-ending ankle injury he suffered in Week 14, said earlier this week. “So to know that the water is bad and to know that there’s not a lot being done back in Flint, Michigan is kind of upsetting. It’s kind of emotional just to know my family and friends and stuff there.”
In case you’ve been living under a rock, A federal state of emergency has been declared in Flint. Flint’s water supply is contaminated by lead, and the city’s residents are forced to use bottled water for drinking, bathing and cooking.