Much of the southern Appalachian Mountain region is still picking up the pieces after Hurricane Helene ripped through the region and left unfathomable destruction in its wake. As the recovery continues, Tennessee football will lend a hand to victims in eastern Tennessee and the Carolinas.
On Friday, the Tennessee athletic department announced that the football team would wear "Mountain Strong" decals on its helmets for Saturday night's game against Arkansas. The decal features an image of the Smoky Mountains and will be at the bottom of the orange stripe on each helmet.
In addition to the decal, Tennessee will display QR codes at various athletic events offering spectators an opportunity to assist with flood recovery efforts. The codes will allow fans to donate to the East Tennessee Foundation, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County or the One SC Fund.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, numerous sports figures are working to help recovery efforts. Most notably, former NASCAR star Greg Biffle has been using his private helicopter to deliver supplies to those in need.
According to the latest report from CBS News, at least 222 people have been confirmed dead as a result of Hurricane Helene, and officials believe the death toll will continue to rise. Severe flooding has left a number of roads inaccessible, which has made rescue efforts more difficult.