Giants’ Cody Latimer leaves OTAs to assist Ohio tornado victims

Cody Latimer is in a fight for the New York Giants’ No. 3 wide receiver spot. He cannot afford to miss any time during voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) but he left the team because of something that is infinitely more important.

Latimer returned to his native Ohio to assist those affected by a recent outbreak of tornadoes.

The National Weather Service confirmed 17 tornadoes in Ohio this week with the number expected to rise. Three of the tornadoes were classified as EF3 with maximum sustained winds between 136 and 165 miles per hour (comparable to that of a Category 4 or Category 5 hurricane). There is at least one confirmed death and 90 injuries since the tornado outbreak began with more than 80,000 residents without power. More than 60 million people throughout the Midwest remain under a severe weather threat.

Latimer was born and raised in Dayton and still has family there. After practicing with the Giants on Tuesday, he boarded a plane to Ohio to aid in the recovery efforts. He reportedly donated food and supplies and is helping provide shelter for victims. Latimer has made it a point to focus on single mothers. He and his brother were raised by their single mother after their father died of cancer in 2005.

Take a look at some drone coverage showing off the powerful damage that has affected the Dayton, Ohio area after storms rolled through overnight. pic.twitter.com/P0jFW4m89t

— KLFY NEWS 10 (@KLFY) May 28, 2019

Giants wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert offered praise for Latimer’s efforts.

@CodyLatimer14 back home dealing with some serious problems in his hometown. Great young man. Stepping up to those in need! @Giants fans should support his efforts! #GiantsPride #BigBlue https://t.co/8bGSrURdPL

— Tyke Tolbert (@CoachTykeT3) May 30, 2019

Latimer was a 2014 second round pick (56th overall) of the Denver Broncos out of Indiana. He was part of the team that won Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers. He signed with the Giants last season but injuries limited him to just six games with two starts. He had 11 receptions for 190 yards and a touchdown. He also averaged 24.6 yards on five kickoff returns. The Giants re-signed him on Mar. 22.

In four seasons, Latimer has 46 receptions for 635 yards and four touchdowns as well as 23 kickoff returns for 562 yards (24.4 yards per return).

– Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL and the New York Giants. Please like and follow on Facebook and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.