Inspired by the story of former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Tony Boselli and his battle against COVID-19, the team is purchasing 45,000 Jaguars-branded protective masks for distribution this month in Jacksonville.
Sourced through a local company, the masks will be distributed by the Jaguars to companies still operating and interacting with the public.
”When you go out in public, here in Jacksonville or anywhere, put a mask on,” Boselli said in a news release.
“It will protect you, it will protect your family and those you come in contact with. If we wash our hands, if we do our social distancing and we wear a mask, we’ll get through this faster, safely and together.”
Masks also will be distributed to not-for-profit groups whose mission is focused on local COVID-19 efforts.
The initiative is in support of the #Masks4Jax campaign and the team’s mission to inform and rally the community.
A public service video recorded by Boselli, who contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized and treated by Mayo Clinic, was posted on jaguars.com.
In March, Jaguars owner Shad Khan made a personal gift of $1 million in support of Northeast Florida’s response to the new coronavirus crisis. The donation is intended to provide essential support to local organizations focused on the immediate health and well-being of Northeast Florida residents.
Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund, Feeding Northeast Florida, Clara White Mission, Jacksonville Public Education Fund and the local chapter of the American Red Cross received portions of the $1 million donation.
Khan’s original auto parts manufacturing company, Flex-N-Gate, also is engaged in the national response to the crisis by converting a lighting plant in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where engineers and workers are producing parts that will be used to build ventilators assembled by General Motors in Kokomo, Indiana.
A summary of all Jaguars programs is available at https://www.jaguars.com/covid19.