Hawaii continues to be devastated by the deadliest U.S. wildfires in over a century, and NFL quarterback Marcus Mariota, who was born and raised in Honolulu, seems justifiably heartbroken as the problems continue.
"My heart goes out to them - everybody back home," said Mariota, who played with the Atlanta Falcons last year and who this season is the backup quarterback to Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles. “Hawaii is such a small place, such a small community, that everybody has family or friends that have been affected by it."
As of Sunday morning, the official death count has risen to 93, with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green adding that the island is likely facing up to $6 billion in damages with more than 2000 buildings having been damaged or destroyed.
Thousands of residents remain displaced in what Green labeled the "largest natural disaster Hawaii has ever experienced. … It's going to take an incredible amount of time to recover from.”
Mariota, the first Hawaiian-born player to win the Heisman Trophy, has been via his charity foundation deeply involved in giving back to his community. And that community is suffering now, with Mariota encouraging football fans and beyond to make donations to help support the area.
"It's bad," Mariota said. "I just appreciate the love and support and always think about them whenever I'm away."
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