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Brock Purdy Joins Elon Musk in Honoring Iryna Zarutska With $250K Donation

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San Francisco, CA – September 11, 2025

The tragic killing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte has continued to spark international grief and solidarity. On Wednesday, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy became the latest figure to step forward, joining Elon Musk in honoring her memory.
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Musk had previously pledged $1 million to fund murals of Zarutska across major U.S. cities, building on an initiative launched by Intercom CEO Eoghan McCabe, who committed $500,000 in artist grants to support public artwork.

Now, Purdy has pledged a personal donation of $250,000, describing Zarutska’s story as “a reminder that life and safety can never be taken for granted.”
“Iryna came to this country seeking peace and a better future. Her life was stolen in such a cruel way, and I want to stand with those working to ensure her memory endures,” Purdy said.
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The response adds to growing international attention. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded the death penalty for Dekarlos Brown, the suspect charged with first-degree murder in Zarutska’s death.

For Purdy, this contribution goes beyond sports. It underscores how athletes can use their platforms to help transform tragedy into remembrance, ensuring Zarutska’s legacy is preserved not only in grief, but in murals, solidarity, and resilience.

Eagles Head Coach Announces A.J. Brown To Start On The Bench For Standout Rookie After Poor Performance vs. Broncos
  Philadelphia, PA — the Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach confirmed that A.J. Brown will start on the bench in Week 6 against the New York Giants, with the boundary starting spot going to rookie WR Taylor Morin—an undrafted signing out of Wake Forest who flashed through rookie camp and the preseason. The decision follows an underwhelming offensive showing against the Denver Broncos, where several snaps highlighted the unit being out of sync between Brown and Jalen Hurts. On a midfield option route, Hurts read Cover-2 and waited for an inside break into the soft spot, while Brown maintained a vertical stem and widened to the boundary to stretch the corner. The ball fell into empty space and the drive stalled. On a separate red-zone snap, a pre-snap hot-route signal wasn’t locked identically by the pair, resulting in a hurried throw that was broken up. The staff treated it as a reminder about route-depth precision, timing, and pre-snap communication—the micro-details that underpin the Eagles’ offense when January football arrives. Starting Morin is part of a plan to re-establish rhythm: the early script is expected to emphasize horizontal spacing, short choice/option concepts, and over routes off play-action to probe the Giants’ responses. Morin—who has shown strong hands in tight windows and clean timing in the preseason—should give the call sheet a steadier platform, while Brown will be “activated” in high-leverage downs such as 3rd-and-medium, two-minute, and red zone to maximize his body control, early separation, and the coverage gravity that can force New York to roll coverage. Facing the tough call, Brown kept his response brief but competitive:“I can’t accept letting a kid take my spot, but I respect his decision. Let’s see what we’re saying after the game. I’ll practice and wait for my chance. When the ball is in the air, everyone will know who I am.” Operationally, the staff is expected to streamline the call sheet between Hurts and Brown: standardize option-route depths, clearly flag hot signals, and increase game-speed reps in 7-on-7 and team periods so both are “seeing it the same and triggering the same.” Handing the start to Morin also resets the locker-room standard: every role is earned by tape and daily detail—even for a star of Brown’s caliber. If Brown converts the message into cleaner stems and precise landmarks—catching the ball at the spot and on time—the Eagles anticipate early returns: fewer dead drives, better red-zone execution when back-shoulder throws and choice routes are run “in the same language,” and an offense that regains tempo before taking on Big Blue. With Taylor Morin in the opening script, Philadelphia hopes the fresh piece is enough to jump-start the attack from the first series.