The social media teams were able to compete against their players on the field. Tampa Bay Rays New York Yankees We joined forces Thursday night to raise awareness about gun violence in America.
Both teams decided to use their platforms for “facts about guns violence in America” rather than providing commentary on Thursday’s game.
“We all deserve safety in schools, grocery shops, places of worship and our homes,” the Rays declared before Thursday’s game. “The latest shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, and elsewhere have shaken our cores.
This cannot be normal. We can’t become numb. We cannot see the other side. We all know that nothing can be done if it doesn’t change.”
The Yankees have more than 3.6 million Twitter followers“The terrible events that took place in Uvalde, Buffalo, and many other communities across the nation are tragedies that are beyond our control.”
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 26, 2022
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 26, 2022
Each team posted the same facts, along with attributing where they got them, throughout the game.
Tampa Bay also pledged to donate $50,000 to a national organization that prevents gun violence. The Rays have more than 500,000 fans. 650,000 followersAlso, their Twitter header was updated with an image saying “End Gun Violence”.
After an 18-year old gunman shot and killed 19 children, two teachers and staff at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on Tuesday, Texas, the collaboration was made. On May 14, an 18-year old gunman opened fire at a Buffalo supermarket, killing 10 people. Both gunmen were using AR-15-style assault rifles.
The Rays stated, “We know that no one organization can solve this problem alone,” but they added, “But working together, we are able to make an impact.”