Eagles quarterback and Hawai’i native Marcus Mariota delivered a heartfelt message to his home state Saturday when asked about the devastating wildfires in Maui.
“My heart goes out to them and everybody back home,” Mariota told reporters. “Hawai’i’s such a small place, such a small community that everyone has family or friends that have been affected by it. All I can say is that we’re thinking about them, we’re praying for them.
“Please, if you have an opportunity to help donate or help support—it’s bad,” he continued. “[I] just appreciate the love and support and [I] always think about them whenever I’m away.”
Marcus Mariota shares his thoughts on the Maui wildfires:
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) August 13, 2023
“My heart goes out to them. Hawaii is such a small place, such a small community, that everybody has family or friends that have been affected by it.” pic.twitter.com/r79tedbds2
It’s the deadliest U.S. wildfire in the past century, with a death toll of at least 93, according to the Associated Press. More than 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed on Maui, with nearly all of them being residential. Damage is estimated to be roughly $6 billion across the island.