The Buccaneers Give $10,000 to Family of Teen Fan Who Died in Accident on Way to ‘MNF’ Game
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have pledged $10,000 to support the family of an 18-year-old fan who tragically lost his life on his way to the team’s Monday Night Football game against the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this week.
Connor Barba was gifted tickets to the game on November 4 as a birthday surprise from his mother. Unfortunately, the young fan from Norman, Oklahoma, never made it to the event. On November 2, Barba and his mother, Megan Barnett, were in a serious head-on crash while heading to Kansas City, resulting in Connor’s untimely death and significant injuries to his mother.
“Megan (Barnett) and Connor (Barba) had a profound love for football,” states a GoFundMe page established for their family. “Connor admired Baker Mayfield, cheering him on since his days at the Oklahoma Sooners, while Megan has always supported the Chiefs.”
Mayfield, who is the Buccaneers’ quarterback, expressed his sorrow over Barba’s passing, calling it “a heartbreaking loss.”
“My heart goes out to Megan and her family during this incredibly painful time,” Mayfield shared in a statement to ESPN. “I feel honored knowing Connor was such a devoted fan. I would have loved the opportunity to meet him. As a new parent, this situation resonates deeply with me. While no words can truly ease the pain during such times, I hope Megan finds strength and recovers fully thanks to the support from everyone across the nation.”
As reported by the Kansas Highway Patrol, Barba was driving northbound in a Hyundai Santa Fe when a 45-year-old man in a Chevrolet Camaro crossed the median and collided with Barba’s vehicle head-on. Sadly, both Barba and the other driver did not survive the crash. Meanwhile, Barnett has been taken to a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she remains in intensive care, as mentioned on the GoFundMe page.
The Buccaneers made a $10,000 donation to the GoFundMe account set up for assisting the family with Connor’s funeral costs and to support Barnett’s recovery, confirmed a team representative to ESPN. The contribution was submitted anonymously on the platform. As of Friday evening, the fund has collected over $112,000 to assist the family.
“Thanks to everyone for the ongoing support you’ve shown Megan’s family during this tough time, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” wrote GoFundMe organizer Seth Brooks in an update. “Your generosity means a lot to us.”
YSL News Sports reached out to the Buccaneers for additional comments.
