Joe Robbins/Getty Images(TAMPA BAY, FL.) — Former NFL Head Coach Tony Dungy challenged Tampa Bay’s professional sports franchises to help pay to move a Confederate statue from a local courthouse.
The three teams, the Lightning, Buccaneers and Rays, said they would help.
On Wednesday, Hillsborough County Commissioners voted 4-2 to block public funds from being used to move the statue. The county said it would cost $140,000 to move the statue and that that money would have to come from private funds.
Dungy, the former Buccaneers and Colts coach, lives in Tampa Bay and tweeted out an appeal following the county decision.
Our County says private $$ must be raised to move Confederate statue. Lauren and I are in for $5K. We challenge Bucs Rays Lightning to help! pic.twitter.com/dGRd1BTFkp
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) August 17, 2017
The three teams issued a joint statement on Twitter saying they would assist in moving the statue.
A joint statement from us, @raysbaseball, & @tbbuccaneers regarding the movement to remove the Confederate monument from downtown Tampa. pic.twitter.com/U87JQsYXO4
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) August 17, 2017
Dungy’s appeal was also heard by former Tampa Bay Storm, a professional arena football team, owner Bob Gries, who pledged $50,000 and current Tampa Bay Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who offered $1,000.
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