The Indianapolis Colts may be in the middle of preseason work, but their latest move had nothing to do with the scoreboard.
Along with the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever and Noblesville Boom, the Colts announced a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross to aid flood relief efforts in Central Indiana, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The money is meant to help people dealing with the damage left behind by severe flooding that has hit the state in recent days.
Heavy rain has caused deep flooding across parts of Indiana, leaving at least seven casualties and thousands of damaged properties. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett described it as the city’s “most severe flooding” in three decades.
While water levels have gone down in several counties, plenty of residents still need help. President Donald Trump has approved an emergency declaration for Indiana, which allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency to step in.
Colts co-owner Kalen Jackson said the impact of the flooding hit close to home.
“It is emotional to see some of the pictures and videos of places I went to as a kid, where I was just a couple of weeks ago,” said Jackson.
“I was in Conner Prairie earlier this week. Today, I was at the Fashion Mall, and seeing you can't even drive on those roads and seeing it's still, in fact, sloshing around there. I have friends who live in areas that have been affected, so this is a very personal thing.”
The donation will go directly to the American Red Cross.
On the field, the Colts tied the New England Patriots in their preseason game Thursday and are set to continue preseason play Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons.
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