Tony Dungy and Tampa Bay Rays, Buccaneers, and Lightning are donating to help cover the cost of relocating Confederate statue
Scott Halleran/Getty Images
According to a local Fox affiliate, the move was initially planned after a commission voted 4-2 that the Florida Daughters of the Confederacy could relocate the monument to the Brandon Family Cemetery, with the key note that no public funds could be used in the process.
The move is estimated to cost $280,000 and efforts to fundraise had not been very successful until former Buccaneers coach and current Tampa-area citizen Tony Dungy stepped up and brought some attention to the issue, pledging $5,000 to the cause and challenging the Rays, Lightning, and Buccaneers to help out with funds as well.
Dungy's donation came after the commission put a deadline on the statue's removal, adding urgency to the fundraising effort. Just a few hours later, the teams answered the call, releasing a joint statement:
While it's still not clear if the final financial goal has been met and if so, when the relocation would take place, with the support of Dungy and the sports franchises bringing the issue into wider awareness, it looks likely that the move will take place.
Our County says private $$ must be raised to move Confederate statue. Lauren and I are in for $5K. We challenge Bucs Rays Lightning to help! pic.twitter.com/dGRd1BTFkp
- Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) August 17, 2017
A joint statement from the Buccaneers, Lightning and Rays: pic.twitter.com/A825Lj0a1M
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) August 17, 2017
- I spent 2 weeks in India. A highlight was visiting a small mountain town so beautiful it didn't seem real.
- I quit McKinsey after 1.5 years. I was making over $200k but my mental health was shattered.
- Some Tesla factory workers realized they were laid off when security scanned their badges and sent them back on shuttles, sources say
- Stock markets stage strong rebound after 4 days of slump; Sensex rallies 599 pts
- Sustainable Transportation Alternatives
- 10 Foods you should avoid eating when in stress
- 8 Lesser-known places to visit near Nainital
- World Liver Day 2024: 10 Foods that are necessary for a healthy liver