Thunder Visit Moore, Oklahoma

((HT: Newsok.com))

Simply, it was the Oklahoma City Thunder's turn...

Players like Russell Westbrook and Hasheem Thabeet along with GM Sam Presti made their tour of the devastation in Moore. Since they couldn't get into the areas immediately after the tornadoes, they went to cheer up who they could in hospital.

FOSG Berry Tramel was around and caught up with Presti, who now understands about what everyone calls the Oklahoma Standard:

“We understand the Oklahoma Standard and stand ready to serve the people that have supported us,” Presti said.

“When our players run out of the tunnel wearing Oklahoma City across their chest, that doesn't end after 82 games.”

Thunder fans weren't the only people wearing Thunder gear at Ground Zero. The Thunder entourage did, too.

Presti, Brooks and the players wore leftover T-shirts from one of the playoff games. White T-shirts. With a word across the front.

“Community.”

Here's a look at some of what they saw...

In other news around Moore, the three schools in the state are combining resources to show their support on t-shrts that can be purchased on the OU online store.

The folks at restorejoplin.org are doing the same thing...

The HQ is encouraging support of everyone in Oklahoma in a way you see fit...

ICYMI: Kevin Durant Continues Helping Tornado Victims

We've said it before: We respect the heck out of athletes willing to give back.

That's why we can never say enough good things about Oklahoma City Thunder Forward and star Kevin Durant.

On the heels of his $1 million dollar donation to the American Red Cross (one matched by his team and the NBAPA), he went out to Moore, Oklahoma to see firsthand what happened and to help distribute supplies to those who need them.

Here's some video from the Red Cross their ownselves:



If you want to help the Red Cross help Tornado Victims, the best way to do it is donate. To donate, text REDCROSS to 90999 and make a $10 donation. Every little bit helps.

Here's a full story from NewsOK.com:

OSG High: Southmoore High FB Dealing With Tornado Damage

((HT: KFOR-TV/Newsok.com, Wright))

Scott Wright is a native to Oklahoma City, and has covered sports for The Oklahoman newspaper for eight years. But he has never had to cover an event like what has happened over the last few days in Oklahoma City and Moore.

There are three high schools in the Moore area, and the tornado has had a horrible impact on one of the football squads...

19 players on the Southmoore High team are now having to deal with homes lost and lives torn apart...

From Wright's piece:

Southmoore senior Jake Spradling didn't need to see the destruction Monday afternoon to know his home had been hit.

“Once I heard that it hit the Warren Theater, I knew my house was gone,” he said. “I live right across the street from the hospital that was hit.

“I haven't been able to get in there to see it yet, but my dad has. I've only seen some photos. All that's left of our house is a bathroom and a closet.”

Head coach Jeff Brickman's wife is the cheerleading coach at the school and they still have no idea about the full numbers of affected players and cheerleaders yet. But the Southmoore football booster club decided to set up the team's website, www.GoSaberCats.com, to accept financial donations.

The site can accept funds via PayPal, or people can write checks directly to the booster club by mailing it to the school.

The HQ is asking for you to find a way to help... doesn't matter how...
Just do it...

Here's some of the coverage from KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City...

ICYMI: Kevin Durant Donates $1 Million To Red Cross (UPDATE)

And this is why Kevin Durant matters. This is what young, mega-star, mega-million professional athletes should be doing.

The Oklahoma City Thunder forward donated $1 Million this afternoon to the Red Cross Oklahoma tornado disaster relief fund. And he plans on matching other donations.

((UPDATE---The NBA Players association has matched Durant's donation of $1 million))

We can't say enough good things about the 24-year old, considered one of the elite players in the NBA right now. So many athletes say they want to do the right thing and will on occasion make some promise of a contribution to help.

Durant didn't wait.

If you want to help out, the Red Cross is accepting $10 pledges from people who text REDCROSS to 90999 or go to the Red Cross Website RIGHT HERE

More on giving to those in need from KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City: