As of now, the Patriots are still set to play the Bills on Sunday for one last chance at the playoffs despite the harrowing injury to Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest Monday night and had to have his heartbeat restored multiple times.
On Wednesday morning, Kraft’s name showed up near the top of the donor list for Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive, which raises money to provide toys for Hamlin’s home community in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, with a gift of $18,003. As of Wednesday at 9:30 am, Kraft has given the second-highest donation to the charity.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss tweeted Wednesday morning that the unique donation carries a special message from Kraft to Hamlin.
“Within the Jewish faith, 18 is ‘chai’ and signifies life,” Reiss wrote. “The ‘3’ is Damar Hamlin’s number.”
In addition to Kraft, several Patriots players, including Myles Bryant, Lawrence Guy, Brian Hoyer and Devin McCourty all donated to Hamlin’s charity as well, with McCourty giving $2,000.
Other notable top donors include Raiders head coach/former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Ryan Leaf, Shannon Sharpe and Jason McCourty, Devin's twin brother.
Originally intended to raise $2,500 as a goal, the foundation’s GoFundMe page has become a central hub for supporting Hamlin as he recovers from his life-threatening injury and has now topped $6 million as of Wednesday.
