Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown has created a GoFundMe page to support the families of those killed in the truck attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
Suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove his truck into a crowd of partiers along Bourbon Street in the early morning hours on New Year’s Day, killing 14 and injuring several others. Jabbar was shot dead by police.
“This has nothing to do with me and everything to do with helping the families who lost their loved ones in New Orleans. I will work with Gofundme to make sure any dollar raised is split between the 14 families who lost their loved ones on January 1st. Prayers,” Mr. Brown wrote on the GoFundMe page.
As of Thursday afternoon, donors had given $7,992 towards the drive’s $100,000 goal.
Another NFL player, current New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan, has also been involved in philanthropic efforts to help the victims.
Mr. Jordan announced on X Wednesday that he was giving $25,000 to the New Year’s Day Tragedy Fund set up by the city of New Orleans and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
“Please consider donating to assist the families of those who lost their lives and those who were severely injured,” Mr. Jordan wrote.
Mr. Jordan has been the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, a league-wide honor which focuses on players who help their communities, three times including the 2024-2025 season.
One of the victims of the attack worked for ASM Global, which manages the Superdome, where the Saints play, and the Smoothie King Center, where the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans play. Both teams share a principal owner, Gayle Benson.
“Among those lost was Matthew Tenedorio, a valued member of the ASM New Orleans video production team. Matthew was young, talented, and had a bright future, helping deliver quality content for both the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with the Tenedorio family and everyone affected by this senseless act of terrorism,” the teams said in a joint statement Thursday.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.