T.J. Watt Joins Elon Musk in Honoring Iryna Zarutska With $150K Donation
Pittsburgh, PA – September 10, 2025
The heartbreaking death of 23-year-old Ukrainian woman Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte has drawn voices of support from across the sports world. On Wednesday, Pittsburgh Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt joined Elon Musk in honoring her memory with a meaningful contribution.
Musk recently pledged $1 million to fund murals of Zarutska across major American cities, following an initiative launched by Intercom CEO Eogan McCabe, who committed $500,000 in artist grants for public artwork.
Now, Watt has pledged a $150,000 donation, saying he felt compelled to act after learning about the tragedy.
“This is about more than football. Iryna’s story is a reminder of how fragile life can be, and I want to help ensure she is remembered with love, compassion, and dignity,” Watt said in a statement.
The response comes alongside former U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for the death penalty for suspect Dekarlos Brown, who has been charged with first-degree murder.
For Watt, the donation reflects his longstanding commitment to community values, symbolizing how athletes can stand alongside victims of violence and help transform grief into unity and remembrance.
Hall of Famer’s Son Rejects Patriots Practice Squad for Bills Workout — Believes Buffalo Can Help Him Become a Legend Like His Father
Buffalo, NY – The Bills have added an unexpected jolt of intrigue to their wide receiver room just days before the season kicks off. A Friday workout made headlines, not only for the player’s upside, but for the name stitched to his jersey.
The Patriots were prepared to keep a young wideout tucked away on their practice squad after releasing him earlier this week, but he had other ideas. Rather than stay in New England, he turned down the offer and headed north to Buffalo. It was both a bold career move and a calculated belief in what the Bills could offer.
That wideout is the son of one of the most legendary players in NFL history. His father revolutionized the wide receiver position for the San Francisco 49ers, and now his son is chasing his own chance at glory. Few fan bases understand grit and loyalty like Bills Mafia, and he’s betting this is the right place to carve his story.
Brenden Rice, son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, worked out for the Buffalo Bills on Friday after declining a practice squad opportunity with the Patriots. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Rice appeared in three games as a rookie before being released earlier this week. His decision underscores a belief that Buffalo’s system, and Josh Allen’s rocket arm, could create a stage worthy of his pedigree.
The Bills’ wide receiver room has already undergone changes this offseason, with Stefon Diggs gone and Khalil Shakir emerging as a rising target. Adding another developmental piece with size and NFL bloodlines could give the offense even more versatility.
Rice still has plenty to prove. At Notre Dame, he flashed toughness and contested-catch ability that translate to the pro level, but his NFL production has yet to match the expectations tied to his name. In Buffalo, with Allen spreading the ball to every corner of the field, he could have the opportunity to grow into a bigger role.
Bills fans understand legacy perhaps more than most, often embracing players who arrive with both hunger and a chip on their shoulder. For Brenden Rice, rejecting the Patriots and choosing Buffalo isn’t just about opportunity — it’s about joining a franchise desperate to break through and deliver a Lombardi Trophy.
If the Bills see enough to keep him, Highmark Stadium might soon have another Rice to cheer for. And in a city built on resilience, loyalty, and unfinished business, that could be the perfect environment for a breakout story.
