CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera came into the media room on Thursday wearing the red hat that his daughter Courtney once wore as a college softball player in the Pan American Games.

On the front were the initials "PR" standing for Puerto Rico.

It was one small way to recognize what he called the "dire" situation in Puerto Rico -- where his family is from -- that has been devastated by two Category 5 hurricanes over the past month.

Rivera stepped up in a big way earlier in the day, tweeting to Rick Elias, the CEO of Red Ventures, a pledge of $50,000 to help with the aid of victims of Puerto Rico.

@CoachRiv2 & I will donate $50,000 to your fund. Thx 4 organizing 2 help our families & friends in Puerto Rico! #BoricuaStrong https://t.co/VE8Y0REgg6 — Ron Rivera (@RiverboatRonHC) September 28, 2017

"We know the situation is very dire there and it would be tremendous to have the support of the people here," said Rivera, who in 1985 with the Chicago Bears became the first Mexican/Puerto Rican to play on a Super Bowl championship team.

"Whatever we can do to help out. [They need] food, water and electricity right now. Those that don't have generators are really struggling up there. Getting fresh water and food obviously is the other concern, and then fuel for the generators and stuff like that."