Baker Mayfield fan who died before MNF honored with $10,000 donation from Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently paid tribute to an 18-year-old fan who lost his life on Monday to a road accident. Connor Barba from Oklahoma was on his way to attend the Buccaneers' MNF game against the Chiefs, when he lost his life during a car accident, which left his mother Megan Barnett severely injured.
According to ESPN, Buccaneers have donated $10,000 to the family of Connor Barba, who was a huge fan of Baker Mayfield. In fact, the game tickets were his pre-birthday surprise from his mother. Mayfield and his wife Emily reportedly plan to reach out to the family following the incident.
The accident took place in Montgomery County, Kansas at around 4:00 p.m., about 170 miles southwest of Kansas City. Per ESPN, there was a 2014 Chevy Camaro that shifted into another lane and hit the car Conor and his mother were in. Conor was in the driver's seat.
According to police reports, the Chevy driver Joseph Savage from Kansas also lost his life in the accident. According to Connor’s uncle Colin Barnett, the 18-year-old fan's quick actions saved his mother's life.
"We were told that the [other car] was in Connor's lane, and Connor swerved, [and] that he hit the brakes tremendously hard and got Megan out of the way. He took the full impact and was kind of heroic in that," Barnett said.
Mayfield sends prayers to Connor Barba's family
Following Connor Barba's death, Buccaneers star Baker Mayfield issued a public statement, sharing his condolences with Barba's family.
"My thoughts and prayers go out to Megan and her family as they deal with this heartbreaking loss. I am honored and humbled knowing that Connor was such a big fan. I would have loved to have met him. As a new parent, this really hits home for me."
"I realize there are no words that can provide true comfort at a time such as this, but I hope that Megan makes a full recovery and that she draws strength from the outpouring of support she is receiving from around the country,' Mayfield further added.
Barnett is currently battling critical injuries in the ICU at a healthcare center in Oklahoma. Her employer has also set up a GoFundMe to help raise funds for her recovery.