Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield each pledge $50,000 to Hurricane Helene relief before epic Falcons ‘TNF’ win

Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins briefly became teammates ahead of Thursday’s wild Falcons overtime win, with the two pledging $50,000 each to support disaster relief efforts from Hurricane Helene. 

The two made the pledge in a video posted to social media, with their contributions going toward a veteran-led humanitarian organization, Team Rubicon.

“They have volunteers who are on the front lines getting their hands dirty to do all the work that it takes to clean up,” Cousins said in the video. 

The two NFC South quarterbacks also called on the public to do what they can to support relief efforts in the south following the devastating natural disaster. 

“We stand with those who have been affected,” Mayfield said. “Honoring the lives lost and the families that are still in distress. Together, we can make a difference.”

Several NFL teams have also teamed up to donate to hurricane relief efforts, with the total donations from the Falcons, Panthers, Texans, Buccaneers and NFL Foundation combining for $8 million.

NFL Network host Sara Walsh revealed during a segment on Good Morning Football on Wednesday that her home in Clearwater, Fla., had been subjected to devastating flooding from the hurricane. 

She also added that her husband had to help rescue their neighbors and that her family had to be evacuated from their home after the house behind them caught on fire. 

The death toll from the devastating storm reached 200 on Thursday and communities across the regions of Georgia and the Carolinas have seen large-scale property damage and flooding. 

Team Rubicon has more than 140 volunteers deployed to areas in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee to assist with the relief efforts and have served more than 35 communities across those states, the organization’s website said. 

Thursday night’s game was played in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Cousins threw for a career-high 509 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Falcons (3-2) to a 36-30 overtime win.

Cousins led a game-tying drive in the final minute before finding KhaDarel Hodge for a 45-yard touchdown to give the Falcons the early division lead against the Buccaneers (3-2).

Mayfield completed 19-of-24 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns.