Photo: Newtown Shooting Victim Laid to Rest in Victor Cruz Jersey, Footballer Pays Tribute to Slain
The sadness continues as the first of those killed in the Newton, Connecticut shooting are being buried this week.
One of the lives lost was Jack Pinto, a 6-year-old wrestler and Victor Cruz fan.
On Monday, Jack was laid to rest wearing a white, number 80 New York Giants jersey, Cruz’s number and jersey for road games.
After learning Pinto was a big fan, Cruz, wrote “RIP Jack Pinto” on one of his cleats and “Jack Pinto, my hero” on the other. Cruz wore the cleats against his game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. He also had the boy’s name on his gloves.
On Friday morning, a shooter entered Sandy Hook Elementary School and opened fire. Before he would take his own life, the shooter killed 20 students, ages 6 and 7, and 6 adults. One other teacher was shot in the leg and arm as she held the door closed, trying to protect other faculty in the room for a meeting. Prior to arriving at the school, the shooter also killed his mother.
After Sunday’s game, Cruz, a father of a baby girl, pledged to visit Pinto’s family. On Tuesday, he kept that promise and spent hours with them in their home. He did not speak to the media or announce when he planned to arrive. He later played football with some of the children in the neighborhood and signed anything they handed him.
He letter tweeted:
Much love to the entire Pinto family. Great people with huge hearts. I’m sorry again for your loss. Looking at life through a different lens
— Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) December 18, 2012
