Kirk Ferentz Encourages Hawkeye Fans To Donate To Tornado Victims

The #15 Iowa Hawkeyes will take on the #22 Kentucky Wildcats in the Citrus Bowl to start the New Year. While both Iowa and Kentucky fans are excited about the upcoming bowl game, the state of Kentucky is now dealing with the damage and loss of life from a storm that produced more than 30 tornados that tore through six states including Kentucky.

Before these two top-25 teams battle it out, Iowa head football coach, Kirk Ferentz, is asking Hawkeye fans to support their soon-to-be opponents.

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On Monday night, Kirk Ferentz released a statement encouraging Hawkeye fans to help out their Citrus Bowl opponent and tornado victims in the state of Kentucky. Ferentz said in his statement,

"We are preparing to play Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl- but game planning for a bowl is nothing compared to the challenge the victims of this weekend's severe weather outbreak are facing now and long into the future."

Over the weekend from Friday night into Saturday morning, more than 30 tornados touched down in six states including Illinois and Kentucky. Kentucky Governor or Andy Beshear said on Monday that at least 74 people were killed in his state with the death toll expected to rise.

Ferentz said he called Kentucky head football coach, Mark Stoops, who played football for Iowa from 1986 to 1988, and asked what the Hawkeyes could do for tornado victims in Kentucky. Ferentz said,

"He told me that Kentucky's athletics department is raising money for victims through a telethon and an online fundraiser"

Ferentz went on to say that Iowa Hawkeye fans are a passionate fan base and are asking fans to show how compassionate they can be.

This is where we show what Iowa Nice is all about. Hawkeye fan or not, Iowan or not, we all can help. To make a donation towards victims of those deadly storms visit https://www.redcross.org/donate/cm/wlextv-pub.html/.

QC Storm Damage

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