New York Yankees former star first basemen Mark Teixeira lauded the COVID-19 relief efforts of Texas football QB Sam Ehlinger over the weekend.
The novel coronavirus pandemic has stricken the sports world like it has every other phase of life around the world in the last month or so. And the starting quarterback of the Texas football program, to-be senior Sam Ehlinger, is trying to help out in a big way in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.
A former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball player and MLB star infielder Mark Teixeira commended Ehlinger on his efforts to help out during the COVID-19 outbreak. Teixeira tweeted his praise for Ehlinger’s relief efforts on his page on April 11, and he mentioned head coach Tom Herman along with the official page of the Texas Longhorns football program.
The tweet that Teixieira posted was in reference to one from Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports, talking about the GoFundMe relief efforts of Ehlinger along with the work he’s doing around the Austin community. Thamel’s tweet also mentioned Herman and what he’s been doing for the community too.
I love to hear stories like these, especially on Easter weekend. A Heisman candidate and top college coach giving back during this tough time. @TexasFootball should be proud of their leaders. @sehlinger3 @CoachTomHerman https://t.co/7tQz4kD9WV
— Mark Teixeira (@teixeiramark25) April 11, 2020
Ehlinger has helped to gather donations along with Herman in the community. Herman has also donated a good sum to the Central Texas Food Bank and helped out with a number of other organizations around Austin.
However, the tweet from the former New York Yankees and Texas Rangers three-time MLB All-Star selection, five-time Gold Glover, and three-time Silver Slugger saw him say “I love to hear stories like these, especially on Easter Weekend”.
When Teixeira originally posted this tweet, Ehlinger’s GoFundMe relief effort was up above $80,000 in donations. He had also help amass around $130,000 in total donations from all of his different actions for COVID-19 relief.
“We don’t always realize the platform that we hold as athletes is very powerful." Story on Texas QB Sam Ehlinger and coach Tom Herman using their platforms to help the needy during this pandemic. https://t.co/aZ5uxyq8Gq
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 10, 2020
As of the morning of April 13, Ehlinger’s GoFundMe page was up to $88,000 in donations. He has 700 donors and more than 3,700 shares on his page. Ehlinger is getting more publicity of late for his COVID-19 relief efforts.
Ehlinger will be entering his senior season with the Longhorns. He helped them to a record of 8-5 (5-4 Big 12) last season and tallied up 39 total touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions.
For more information on COVID-19, you can visit the CDC’s website.