Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger announced that his campaign to raise money for COVID-19 relief raised $200,000 between a GoFundMe and private donations. 

Ehlinger realized the platform he had early in the pandemic. He started a GoFundMe campaign in March, at the outset of quarantine, after being inspired by Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s efforts. He directed donations to the Boys & Girls Club of America, the Central Texas Food Bank, Austin Pets Alive and others major organizations. Nearly 800 people donated to the GoFundMe alone, with many others making outside donations.

More than 150,000 meals were funded to the Central Texas community through Ehlinger’s efforts during the worst American pandemic in a century, which has infected nearly 400,000 Texans. Additionally, three million Texans have filed for unemployment since March as the state has become one of the global hotspots of COVID-19.

Travis County, home of the University of Texas and Ehlinger's lifelong home, has a case rate higher than only six countries in the world, and continues to trend upwards. 

Ehlinger’s incredible campaign comes during a period of athlete empowerment across college football. Several San Antonio-based athletes – including Caden Sterns, Derek Kerstetter, Malcolm Brown and UTSA’s Rashad Wisdom – came together to create a fundraiser for the San Antonio Food Bank. 

Additionally, SMU quarterback Shane Buechele raised $50,000 to support the Dallas COVID-19 relief efforts and met with Dallas mayor Eric Johnson to deliver his donation.