Former UF linebacker Alex Anzalone Pleads for Help Amid Israel Crisis

In a blowout win over the Carolina Panthers, former Florida Gator linebacker Alex Anzalone led the Detroit Lions with 11 tackles, but his mind was elsewhere. Anzalone’s parents, Sal and Judy Anzalone are among 53 Americans trapped in Israel following the weekend’s large-scale conflict.

In 2017, Anzalone was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round – 76th overall – after graduating from Florida. Prior to the 2021 season, he signed with the Detroit Lions as a free agent.

#Lions LB Alex Anzalone, who played in today’s win over the #Panthers, said that his parents are trapped in Israel as part of a church tour group of 53 people as conflict continues to rage on, via @Justin_Rogers

“It's hard. It's really all I’ve been thinking about.” Anzalone… pic.twitter.com/8jSMqb5gML

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 9, 2023

Alex Anzalone Calls for Help

As members of First Naples, a Baptist congregation in Naples, Florida, Anzalone’s parents arrived in Israel earlier this month. After launching a surprise attack in the Gaza region over the weekend, Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, has now launched a war against Israel. Over 1,000 deaths have been reported between the two sides as a result of the fighting.

On Thursday, the First Naples Church group is scheduled to leave the country from Tel Aviv, but that has been one of the most targeted areas throughout the conflict. The primary goal is to get out as soon as possible, so alternatives are being sought.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Saturday that the country is at war after the attack. President Joe Biden has stood by Israel. After recently speaking with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the President issued a statement sharing his stance on the matter.

Family members of Detroit Lions player Alex Anzalone are stuck in Israel. Anzalone's parents were visiting the country with a church group when attacks began.

More: https://t.co/4maoGC5A0P #NewsNationNow pic.twitter.com/63mWRNcLqn

— NewsNation (@NewsNation) October 9, 2023

“The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel,” President Biden shared in his statement.

Anzalone shared a tweet, which has since been deleted, calling for President Biden to help get his parents home safely.

“Please get my parents home,” he wrote alongside a tag of President Biden’s twitter handle.

While the next steps for the group of 53 stuck in Israel is unclear, pastor Alan Brumback provided an update from the group’s hotel.

“We are doing good at our hotel in Jerusalem,” he wrote on a Facebook post. “Continue to pray for Israel and for this to be resolved as peacefully and quickly as possible.”