July 31, 2025 — New York, NY — In a moment that will be etched into the hearts of Americans for years to come, NFL legend Ahman Green broke down live on national television, revealing the unthinkable: the loss of his entire family to the catastrophic tsunami that struck the Hawaiian Islands earlier this week.

“I couldn’t save them,” he whispered through tears, his voice cracking as the studio fell into stunned silence. The former Green Bay Packers running back, known for his strength and resilience on the field, showed a raw and deeply human vulnerability that left millions watching across the country shaken.

A Nation Watches in Shock

The emotional moment occurred during a live segment on ESPN’s NFL Today, where Green was originally invited to reflect on his career and discuss the upcoming NFL preseason. The tone of the interview changed dramatically when the hosts brought up the recent natural disaster in Hawaii, where Green’s family had lived for over a decade.

At first, Green hesitated. Then, as the studio lights dimmed and a photograph of his beachfront family home appeared on screen—now nothing more than rubble and debris—his expression changed. His eyes welled with tears. He took a breath and uttered words no one expected.

“They’re gone… all of them.”

The Hawaii Tsunami: A Sudden Tragedy

The tsunami, triggered by a 7.9-magnitude undersea earthquake off the coast of the Big Island, struck without warning in the early morning hours of July 28. Within minutes, massive waves—some reported as high as 35 feet—slammed into coastal towns, destroying homes, resorts, and entire communities.

More than 200 people are confirmed dead so far, with hundreds still missing. Among the victims were Green’s mother, sister, and two teenage nephews, who were reportedly asleep when the waves hit their family home in Hilo.

Emergency services say the speed and ferocity of the wave left little chance for evacuation. “We had less than 10 minutes from the moment the alarms sounded to when the first wave hit,” said Hawaii Governor Keiko Mahelona in a press briefing Tuesday. “This was one of the most sudden and devastating natural disasters in the state’s history.”

A Personal Loss Becomes Public

Green, 48, was in Wisconsin at the time, coaching a youth football camp. He tried frantically to reach his family but was unable to connect with them after the tsunami hit. “The phone just kept ringing,” he said. “I kept hoping someone—anyone—would pick up.”

During the live broadcast, Green described his last conversation with his mother just two days before the tsunami. “She told me she was proud of me. That she couldn’t wait to come see me coach. That was the last time I heard her voice.”

Viewers watched in silence, many reportedly in tears themselves, as Green covered his face with his hands. ESPN anchor Mike Tirico, sitting beside Green, placed a hand on his shoulder in a rare unscripted moment of compassion. The segment went silent for nearly 30 seconds—a moment that trended across social media platforms as #AhmanGreen and #HawaiiTsunami topped Twitter and Instagram feeds nationwide.

The Power of Vulnerability

Green’s candid grief has sparked widespread conversations about loss, mental health, and the resilience of public figures. Known for his stoic demeanor and record-breaking career with the Packers—where he became the franchise’s all-time leading rusher—Green has rarely spoken publicly about his personal life.

But this moment, raw and unscripted, pierced through the usual gloss of televised sports coverage.

“He reminded us that athletes are human too,” said sports psychologist Dr. Laura Chen. “This was grief, unfiltered. The entire country witnessed a man grappling with unimaginable loss in real time.”

Outpouring of Support

Since the interview aired, Green has received an outpouring of messages from fans, teammates, and fellow athletes. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement offering condolences and support, saying, “Ahman is not just a legend on the field—he is a man of courage and heart. The entire NFL community stands with him.”

The Green Bay Packers organization announced they will be holding a moment of silence at their next preseason game in honor of Green’s family and the victims of the tsunami. A memorial fund has also been established in Green’s name to support rebuilding efforts in Hawaii.

In addition, several current NFL stars—including Patrick Mahomes, J.J. Watt, and Russell Wilson—have pledged donations to assist displaced families on the islands.

Rebuilding and Remembering

As Hawaii begins the painful process of cleanup and recovery, Green’s story has come to symbolize the personal cost behind the headlines. “It’s easy to look at the death toll as just numbers,” said Honolulu Mayor Daniel Kawano. “But every number is a name. A face. A story. Ahman reminded us of that.”

The governor’s office confirmed that rescue operations are still ongoing, with hopes of finding survivors dwindling as each hour passes. Aid organizations from around the world have begun arriving to provide medical help, shelter, and food.

For Green, the path forward remains uncertain. “I don’t know what comes next,” he said near the end of the broadcast. “I just know I miss them. And I want people to remember them—not for how they died, but for how they lived. They were my everything.”

A Moment That Moved America

In the days since his appearance, reruns of the segment have been played across news channels and online. Clips of Green’s emotional testimony have garnered millions of views on YouTube and TikTok, sparking a renewed appreciation for family, empathy, and the fragile nature of life.

“He spoke for all of us,” one commenter wrote. “For anyone who’s ever felt helpless in the face of disaster. For anyone who’s ever lost someone they love.”

As the camera faded to black during the broadcast, the last thing viewers saw was a simple message displayed on screen:
“In memory of the lives lost in Hawaii. We stand together.”

If you’d like to donate to relief efforts for the victims of the Hawaii tsunami, visit www.hawaiireliefnow.org or text ‘ALOHA’ to 90999.