Bucs donate $10K to family of fan killed in crash on way to game

An NFL team is chipping in to help a family involved in a car crash that occurred on their way to a game.

ESPN reported Thursday that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have donated $10,000 to the family of Connor Barba, 18, of Norman, Oklahoma, who was killed on the way to the Bucs' game against Kansas City on Nov. 4.

His mother, Megan Barnett, was also seriously injured in the crash, which happened after Barnett surprised her son with tickets ahead of his birthday.

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield was Barba's favorite player, according to ESPN.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to Megan and her family as they deal with this heartbreaking loss," Mayfield said in a statement. "I am honored and humbled knowing that Connor was such a big fan. I would have loved to have met him.

"As a new parent, this really hits home for me. I realize there are no words that can provide true comfort at a time such as this, but I hope that Megan makes a full recovery and that she draws strength from the outpouring of support she is receiving from around the country."

According to Kansas Highway Patrol , the crash occurred in Montgomery County just before 4 p.m. on Nov. 2 when a 2014 Chevy Camaro veered into the other lane and hit a vehicle occupied by Barba and Barnett head-on.

The other driver, Joseph Savage, of Coffeyville, Kansas, was also killed, troopers said.

Collin Barnett, Barba's uncle, told "Good Morning America" that his nephew's quick actions behind the wheel likely saved his mother's life.

"Connor swerved right and away and slammed on the breaks as hard as he could," Collin said. "When Connor did that, he took the full brunt of the car."

Barnett is currently in the ICU at a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to a GoFundMe.