The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are donating $10,000 to the family of 18-year-old Baker Mayfield fan Connor Barba in Oklahoma after he tragically died in a car accident on his way to a game.
Barba and her mother, Megan Barnett, were traveling to Arrowhead Stadium over the weekend to watch the Bucs play the Kansas City Chiefs. This mother and son trip was aimed at celebrating Baba's upcoming birthday.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
However, they were involved in a tragic head-on collision with another vehicle in Kansas, killing Barba and seriously injuring her mother.
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According to Kansas Highway Patrol crash records, a vehicle traveling southbound on U-169 veered into the northbound lane for “unknown reasons” and collided head-on with Barba's vehicle. The 45-year-old man who was driving the car also died in the accident.
A third vehicle was also involved in the collision, but the driver was not injured.
Following the tragic news, the Bucks donated $10,000 to the family, and a team spokesperson said Mayfield, Barba's favorite player, and his wife plan to contact the family, per ESPN. Reported.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Joshua Uche, 55, hits Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield during the first half of an NFL football game on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. 6) Tackle. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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“My thoughts and prayers go out to Megan and her family as they deal with this heartbreaking loss,” Mayfield said via media in a statement. “I'm honored and humbled to know that Connor was such a huge fan. I would have loved to have met him. As a new parent, this really hits home for me.”
He added: “We know there are no words that can truly comfort you at a time like this, but we hope Megan makes a full recovery and that she finds strength in the outpouring of support from across the country. “I'm doing it,” he continued.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, 6, runs the ball during the second half of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Jay Biggerstaff-Imagine Images)
Barnett is in the intensive care unit (ICU) in Tulsa and has “many injuries that will require extensive recovery,” according to a fundraising group set up on behalf of his family.
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Barba's uncle, Colin Barnett, told “Good Morning America” that the young man's quick thinking during the crash may have saved his mother's life.
“I was told that (another car) was in Connor's lane and Connor swerved and slammed on the brakes really hard, forcing Megan out,” he said via ESPN. “He took full advantage of it and was heroic in a way.”
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