After some initial uncertainty, Trevor Lawrence and the NCAA are officially on the same page.
The Clemson quarterback and his girlfriend, Anderson University soccer player Marissa Mowry, started a GoFundMe page attempting to raise money for people affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The pair had planned on donating any money — it was near $3,000 on Monday — to Meals on Wheels and No Kid Hungry. However, it was initially reported that the page attached to Trevor Lawrence had been shut down by the NCAA because it violated bylaws. Subsequent to that, though, it was clarified that Clemson’s compliance department had shuttered the fundraising effort.
“The NCAA did not ask Trevor Lawrence to take down his fundraiser for COVID-19 patients and their families,” The Association said in a statement. “We continue to work with member schools so they have the flexibility to ensure that student-athletes and communities impacted by this illness are supported, and we applaud Trevor for his effort.”
Those words indicated that there was the possibility that Trevor Lawrence could continue his fundraising efforts, with the blessing of the NCAA. On social media overnight, the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft confirmed as much.
“Shout out to the NCAA,” Lawrence wrote via Instagram. “Thank y’all so much for granting a waiver. They’re allowing us to continue to raise money for what we were doing originally.
“Again, I just want to thank the NCAA really. Everyone’s made them out to be the bad guy, but it was more just so the rules that have already been in place. They’ve done a really good job of responding and actually allowing us to do it. Thank y’all.”
Clemson’s athletic department also issued a statement addressing the development.
We are appreciative of the action taken by the NCAA this evening. pic.twitter.com/rq4zI8PpDR
— Clemson Athletics (@ClemsonTigers) March 24, 2020
At this point, it’s unclear if the original GoFundMe page will be reactivated, or Lawrence and Mowry will go another fundraising route.