What happened in Uvalde? Former NFL star Bo Jackson donates $170K to victims of school shooting
In a gut-wrenching incident, 19 children and two adults were shot down in Uvalde in one of the most heinous crimes committed in recent times. The Uvalde school massacre was one of the deadliest school shootings in US history, sparking further debate on gun laws in the country.
In May, an 18-year-old opened fire in Robb Elementary School, killing 19 children and two teachers. The shooter, Salvador Ramos, had earlier shot his grandmother in the face before firing bullets outside the school. He then entered two classrooms and killed 21 people.
Ramos was eventually shot dead by the United States Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC).
Amid the grief, former NFL superstar Vincent Bo Jackson decided to step in and cover all funeral expenses.
It was the third deadliest school shooting in US history, filling the entire nation with shock.
As per a statement by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Jackson handed down a check "so they would have one less thing to worry about as they grieved."
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We now know the identity of the anonymous donor who stepped up to help pay for the funerals of the Uvalde shooting victims.
It was Bo Jackson. He donated $170,000.
Bo knows 👊🏼♥️ https://t.co/P36jjCSyaP
Speaking to CNN, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin revealed that Jackson personally flew in and presented a check of $170,000 to Abbott for funeral expenses.
In a statement, Governor Abbott heaped praise on the former NFL superstar, lauding his gesture towards the victims' families. He said:
"The true spirit of our nation is Americans lifting up one another in times of need and hardship. We are truly grateful for the generosity of Texans and Americans like Bo Jackson, who have stepped up to help in the aftermath of the shooting at Robb Elementary School.
"When we asked people to support the Uvalde community in the days after, Bo did not hesitate in reaching out to my office to offer his help to the grieving families."
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Former pro athlete, Bo Jackson, was named as one of the anonymous donors of the 21 victims of Uvalde funerals.
"The last thing they needed was to shell out thousands of dollars for something that never should have happened." 💔 abc7.la/3zrFv7t https://t.co/eDIhT6ghko
Bo Jackson's NFL career
Bo Jackson is the only athlete to have been named to the All-Star team in both MLB and NFL. Jackson featured for the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL for four seasons before an injury put an end to his career.
A Heisman Trophy winner, he was drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but refused to sign with them. The Raiders drafted him once again the following year. He also played for the Kansas City Royals in MLB.