Community Corner

Patriots to Pay Tribute to Newtown Shooting Victims Sunday Night

The New England Patriots will wear black-ribbon logos on their helmets and hold a moment of silence before Sunday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers in Foxborough.

Foxborough will be center stage of the National Football League world for the second time in six days Sunday night when the New England Patriots host the San Francisco 49ers in primetime on NBC's Sunday Night Football.

But even a game with so much significance on playoff positioning will simply be less important in the wake of Friday's tragedy in Newtown, Conn. The New England Patriots, along with the rest of the country, will have the 26 victims of Friday's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on their minds and in their hearts during Sunday's game at Gillette Stadium.

In recognition of Friday's tragedy, the Patriots plan to honor the 20 children and six adults killed in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School by wearing black-ribbon logos on their helmets, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Find out what's happening in Foxboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Prior to Sunday's game, the Patriots will light 26 white flares during a moment of silence in memory of the 26 lives lost Friday in Newtown, Conn., according to Schefter. 

All teams around the NFL Sunday will hold a moment of silence for the shooting victims.

Find out what's happening in Foxboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The tragedy in Newtown hit close to Robert Kraft and his family, according to Schefter, as the Krafts own a box company, Randy-Whitney, that has a factory less than two miles from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

To read Schefter's story in its entirety, click here.

Staff at Gillette Stadium and Patriot Place took to Facebook Friday to share messages of sympathy for the Newtown community.

"Everyone here at Gillette Stadium sends their thoughts and prayers to the victims and all those affected by [Friday's] unimaginable tragedy in our New England community," stadium staff wrote on its Facebook page.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the terrible tragedy in Connecticut [Friday]," Patriot Place staff wrote on its Facebook page.

Others in the Patriots organization and around the Foxborough community shared their thoughts on social media regarding Friday's horrific incident.

"Thoughts are with the Newtown community," Foxborough High School Athletic Director Caitlin Brown wrote on Twitter.

"Dear God what is going on? Sending a million prayers to the people of Connecticut ... with children in school myself ... I can't imagine what they are going through," said Patriots defensive tacklet Vince Wilfork's wife, Bianca, on Twitter.

"Prayers out to the families involved with the shooting in Connecticut," said Patriots linebacker Donta Hightower on Twitter. 

"I can't even imagine what the families of the victims are going through. You are in our prayers," said Patriots punter Zoltan Mesko on Twitter.

"Prayers," said Patriots running back Shane Vereen.

"Absolutely heartbreaking news coming out of Connecticut. Praying for the victims, their families, the community and our country," said United States Representative-elect for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district, Joseph Kennedy, who represents Foxborough.

"Our thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families in Newtown, Conn. There are no words to fully describe the horror of this tragedy," said Massachusetts State Police on Twitter.

"The thoughts and prayers of the entire Revolution family go out to the victims and all those affected by the senseless tragedy in Connecticut," the New England Revolution wrote on its Facebook page.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families involved in [Friday's] terrible tragedy in Netwon, Conn. Here's a resource that may help parents as you support loved ones through this scary event: http://crisisresponse.promoteprevent.org/," said the Hockomock Area YMCA on its Facebook page.

Foxborough Public Schools Superintendent Debra Spinelli and Foxborough Regional Charter School Executive Director Dr. Mark F. Logan each reacted to Friday's tragedy through letters to the Foxborough community, assuring parents that the town's schools have plans in place in the event of any emergency event.

If you are a parent who is searching for the best way to talk to your child about Friday's tragedy, we've provided resources here.

If you are interested in reaching out to the Newtown, Conn. community to offer support in the wake of this heart-breaking tragedy, click here.


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