LeBron James Backs up His Dedication to ‘Taco Tuesday’ by Hooking up Firefighters with L.A.’s Most Iconic Tacos de Camarón

[dropcap size=big]Is[/dropcap] fighting the blazing Getty Fire fueled by the strongest Santa Ana Winds since 2007 that has burned through 12 homes and 745 acres as of Wednesday morning an excuse to miss Taco Tuesday? 

LeBron James thinks not.

More than 600 San Juan de Los Lagos-style shrimp tacos and a countless amount of tostadas piled with both fish and shrimp ceviche were served up yesterday at Jackie Robinson’s Stadium, confirms Raul Ortega of Mariscos Jalisco over a phone call with L.A. Taco. The multiple-time Taco Madness winner rose to the occasion of feeding L.A.’s bravest and most selfless with just a 15-hour notice yesterday. 

“They’re out there fighting the fires and risking their lives to save other people’s property, how could I not?” Ortega shares with L.A. Taco. “The phone call came the night before at about 8:30 PM. It was a little tough because I had to call my employees who were supposed to rest to come back on and I had to prep the entire night but in the end, it was a great day.” 

Ortega reports that Gavin Newsom was among those who were present in the crowd of hungry firefighters and other city officials feasting on mariscos under the smokey California sun, but L.A. Taco was unable to confirm if he also partook in the glory that is your first crunchy bite of a shrimp taco from MJ.   

“There were also many raza among the brave firefighters who knew what’s up,” Ortega informs L. A. Taco, proudly. 

Ortega shares that Chris Jenn, a producer for Ugly Delicious, was the one who first called to put him in contact with James’ team. Jenn was also the pollinator that connected Ortega with Chrissy Teigen last year to cater her party, an event that effectively changed Los Angeles taco culture forever by being the first OG taco truck to cross over to pop culture. This event is another big step towards the national media recognizing just how serious Angelenos take their taco lifestyle. 

Not to mention, it was also a generous move on the part of LeBron James to redeem himself from the cultural shame from many that followed his attempt to trademark the term “Taco Tuesday” as it pertains “to downloadable audio/visual works; advertising and marketing services provided by means of indirect methods of marketing communications, namely, social media; podcast services; and online entertainment services, namely, providing a website featuring non-downloadable videos, and social media posts in the field of sports, entertainment, current events and popular culture.”

Beyond that, this act of taco-anthrophy has officially made his controversial comments about China a thing of the past, and his fans let it be known by chanting “TACO TUESDAY” at yesterday’s Lakers game against the Suns. 

“Taco trucks being associated with these kinds of events is great for business but that is the last thing to focus on. These men and women risk their lives every day and that has no price—I’ll always do anything I can do to help,” Ortega says.