12up Logo

6 Athletes Who've Done Incredible Charity Work During Coronavirus Epidemic

By Jack Murphy

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert is one of the many notable athletes who paid it forward during these troubling times
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert is one of the many notable athletes who paid it forward during these troubling times / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

In a time where more than a half a million people globally have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, all sports have been halted to help prevent the outbreak from spreading further. In accordance with their nature, many athletes have been paying it forward to those who have been affected during these bleak times. While countless athletes have made contributions to those in need as a result of COVID-19, these six athletes have really set the bar with their charity work.

6. Jason Heyward

Jason Heyward of the Chicago Cubs donated 200,000 to help support those in need during the COVID-19 outbreak
Jason Heyward of the Chicago Cubs donated 200,000 to help support those in need during the COVID-19 outbreak / Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward made very generous donations to help support efforts in the Chicago area. He has donated a total of $200,000 split evenly among two separate organizations. One half of Heyward's donation went to the Chicago Food Depository while the other was donated to MASK, a group dedicated to providing families affected by the virus with meals and supplies.

5. Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson shows gratitude towards Smoothie King Center workers by pledging to cover their salaries for 30 days
Zion Williamson shows gratitude towards Smoothie King Center workers by pledging to cover their salaries for 30 days / Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

The first pick of the 2019 NBA draft has the potential to be one of the most explosive players the NBA has ever seen. He has also shown his gratitude and humbleness at such a young age as well. Zion Williamson showed his thanks to all those who work at the Smoothie King Center, as without them, Pelicans games are not possible. The 19-year-old rookie has pledged to cover all the salaries of the venue's workers for 30 days amid the outbreak of the virus.

4. Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert was the first reported NBA player to test positive with the Coronavirus
Rudy Gobert was the first reported NBA player to test positive with the Coronavirus / Omar Rawlings/Getty Images

Rudy Gobert was the first reported NBA player to fall victim to the coronavirus, and in many ways changed world history with the domino effect that followed. After testing positive for the deadly virus, the former Defensive Player of the Year decided to contribute to help prevent long-term damage from its spread. Gobert made a $100,000 donation to the workers at the Vivint Smart Home Arena, home of the Utah Jazz. He also gave the same amount to corona-virus related services in both Utah and Oklahoma City, as well as 100,000 euros for his home country of France.

3. Steph Curry

Steph Curry and his wife pledged to help provide children who rely on schools for their daily meals
Steph Curry and his wife pledged to help provide children who rely on schools for their daily meals / Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry has vowed to help the 18,000+ children in his neighborhood who rely on school in order to receive some of their meals. With the spread of the coronavirus, all schools in the Oakland area are closed, and children may not be able to be properly fed. To ensure that all these children will be able to eat, the Currys donated to the Alameda County Community Food Bank. While the exact amount of their donation is undisclosed, it is a noble act to help provide for children who may be in need.

2. JJ Watt

After raising over $40 million JJ Watt now raises money to help those affected by the coronavirus
After raising over $40 million JJ Watt now raises money to help those affected by the coronavirus / Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

JJ Watt is not only known for his defensive presence, but his charitable contributions in times of need. Watt raised over $41 million dollars for those affected by the catastrophic Hurricane Harvey, and is now helping those in need again. Watt and his wife donated $350,000 to the Houston Food Bank for those who are unable to find food sources during these troubling times. Watt's contribution provided the food bank with over a million meals.

1. Kevin Love

Kevin Love was the first to make a donation to the workers of his team's venue
Kevin Love was the first to make a donation to the workers of his team's venue / Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

After the NBA season was suspend amid the outbreak of COVID-19, Kevin Love generously donated $100,000 to the workers at the Cleveland Cavaliers home arena, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. While Love did not make the largest donation among his fellow athletes, he did set a precedent. Love was the first player to donate to those who will be temporarily jobless with the closing of the arena. Many other players would eventually follow suit and donate to their respective venues as well.