The Raiders Score For Mt. Diablo Red Devils With Donation For Torched Field

CONCORD, CA — Thanks to a donation pledged by the Las Vegas Raiders, the Mt. Diablo High School football team will play its next home game on a fully restored home field damaged by an August fire.

The August fire — ignited by fireworks set off by three people seen on surveillance footage — melted the newly installed synthetic turf, forcing the Mt. Diablo Red Devils to play their first three home games off site, according to school district officials.

The Las Vegas Raiders pledged a donation of $250,000 to assist with the cost of restoring the field, after learning of the fire and needed repairs, said Theresa Harrington Brandt, a spokeswoman for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

The Raiders’ donation will cover the cost of the insurance deductible, which the school district would have had to pay out of its own funds toward the total repair costs of nearly $350,000, Harrington Brandt said in a statement.

The team will be playing on a completely restored home field for its Friday game when Mt. Diablo will host the cross-town competitors, Ygnacio Valley High School Wolves.

The Raiders made the pledge Sept. 29, Harrington Brandt said. The Raiders did not specific a date when the school would receive the funds, she said, but the team assured the district that the details are being finalized.

“As a lifelong Raiders fan and past season ticket holder, I couldn’t be more pleased with their generous contribution,” Mt. Diablo Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark said in the statement. “The Mt. Diablo High School student body, alumni and community deserve a learning environment that they can be proud of."