<
>

Athletes turn to social media to express solidarity with Mexico

Aerial view of a flattened building in Mexico City on Wednesday as the search for survivors continues a day after a strong quake hit central Mexico. MARIO VAZQUEZ/AFP/Getty Images

MEXICO CITY -- Athletes from around the world showed solidarity with Mexico and summoned calls for help after a devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked central Mexico on Tuesday.

From the NBA's Pau Gasol to Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, athletes expressed their condolences and support following the disaster.

Formula 1 will hold its Mexico City Grand Prix next month at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, in Mexico City.

Force India driver Sergio Perez is one of the most recognizable faces on the circuit and has lent his support for earthquake victims.

Similarly, English driver and three-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton reacted.

The NFL's Oakland Raiders, who will be playing at Estadio Azteca on Nov. 19 against the New England Patriots, posted the following message:

The Tennessee Titans sent a message in Spanish for their Mexican fans. "We send our love and support to our fans in Mexico."

Patriots WR Julian Edelman visited the country earlier this year with teammate Danny Amendola.

Former NFL WR Chad Johnson has a longstanding relationship with the country. He played in one game last season in Mexico's football league.

The San Diego Padres expressed condolences in both their English-language and Spanish-language accounts on Twitter.

Sluggerrr and TC Bear, the mascots for the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins, respectively, were in Mexico City on Tuesday to promote the sport and do social work. Sluggerrr detailed the experience of going through the earthquake on Twitter.

Ultimately, both the mascots and MLB Mexico personnel were guided back to safety.

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is Mexican-American through his mother. The 20-year-old played in two regular-season games in Mexico City last season and recently made his way back as part of a promotional appearance.

Former LPGA golfer Lorena Ochoa called for her fellow Mexicans to rise up after the tragedy. "Today we all have to lift our city up."

Boxer Floyd Mayweather expressed his solidarity with the country and "those recently impacted by the tragic weather conditions around the world" in a longer social media post.

Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo sent the following message, which reads: "A very strong embrace in solidarity for Mexico."

Ronaldo's club, Real Madrid, let their followers know they will be observing a moment of silence before Wednesday's match.

Italian soccer club AS Roma, which employs Mexican defender Hector Moreno, released the player's quotes through their official website.

"There are no words to describe the pain I feel for the tragedy that struck my population," said Moreno, a native of Mexico City.

And West Ham United player and icon Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez has joined forces with other European-based Mexican players for a donation campaign.