Trevor Lawrence Relaunches Fundraiser for Coronavirus Relief After NCAA Confusion

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and his girlfriend Mariss Mowry have relaunched their fundraiser for coronavirus relief efforts after it became the topic of a confusing ordeal between the NCAA and the school.

The new fundraiser is through Community Foundation Northwest Georgia and asks people to donate to either Cartersville-Bartow Community or Upstate South Carolina Communities.

"Marissa and I have created the Fund to help our friends and neighbors in the Cartersville and Upstate South Carolina communities deal with some of the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 situation," Lawrence said in a statement on the fundraiser website. "We hope others will join us in supporting the many families in need. These are challenging times, and no one should be left behind."

Lawrence and Mowry started a GoFundMe campaign last week to raise money for COVID-19 relief. Mowry revealed in a video on her Instagram account that they raised $2,670 for Meals on Wheels America and No Kid Hungry before the campaign became inactive.

A Clemson official initially told The State that "NCAA rules that prohibit using name, image and likeness for crowdfunding," meaning Lawrence and Mowry could not keep the campaign up. However, The Athletic's Grace Raynor reported the NCAA did not directly ask Clemson to stop Lawrence's campaign, but that the school's compliance department asked him to take it down due to the league's rules.

The school later told Raynor that, "in light of current circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the NCAA reached out to Clemson Athletics this evening informing us that they are waiving restrictions that had been in place and are now allowing institutions to utilize discretion with respect to fundraising efforts."

The NCAA released a statement on the situation.

"The NCAA did not ask Clemson student-athlete Trevor Lawrence to take down his fundraiser for COVID-19 patients and their families," they 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 the illness are supported, and we applaud Trevor for his efforts."

Lawrence announced on social media last Tuesday that he could continue raising money.

"Shout out to the NCAA. Thank y'all so much for granting a waiver. They're allowing us to raise money now, to continue to raise money for what we were doing originally," the Tigers quarterback said on his Instagram.