Flint has become a focal point for eyes across the country. And in the middle of it all is a team that bears that name: The Flint Firebirds.
"I think we all know it’s been around, it’s just now more national attention," said Firebirds coach John Gruden.
Even though the team’s facility isn’t in the effected area, Team President Costa Papista said they’ve erred on the side of caution.
"We have had our facility tested, it was tested in August and the test showed that the water was clean. [But] every visiting team, it’s all bottled water. Our team, it’s all bottled water," said Papista.
Even though the Dort Federal Event Center is largely unaffected, but what’s happening in Flint right now impacts the community the players live in and the fans that support them.
"Whatever the kids can do to help the community, we’re going to do," said Gruden
They did a water drive back in November and next week the team will be on hand at the Dort Event Center to hand out water to those who need it. And it’s not just the firebirds getting involved.
"Wndsor doing a weeklong water drive which collected over 1500 cases of water," said Papista.
"We battle with teams, and we compete against them, but when team’s are in need or a city is in crisis, they’ll do anything to protect their league," said Gruden.
