All of us here at Laces Out obviously have a massive love for football, but one of the most underrated aspects of the game is its ability to bring people together in the wake a devastating tragedy (see: 9/11). That happened once again this weekend, as teams and individual athletes came together to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday.
Here's just some of those who paid tribute:
The Miami Dolphins, joined by local youth football players, joined hands in a moment of silence before their game on Sunday.
Steven Jackson and the Rams also honored the victims alongside some young fans prior to their game on Sunday.
Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt honored Sandy Hook victims by writing "Newtown, CT" on one glove and "S.H.E.S." on the other.
Charles Tillman of the Bears paid tribute by writing "NEWTOWN" on his game towel and elbow pads for Sunday's matchup against the Packers.
Every member of the New York Giants sported this decal, with the letters S.H.E.S., on the back of their helmets during Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
Giants receiver Victor Cruz took his tribute a bit further, as he dedicated his game to Jack Pinto, a six-year old victim killed in Friday's shooting, and wrote a message to Pinto on his cleats. Pinto was a big Giants fan and Cruz was his favorite NFL player. Following Sunday's game, Cruz traveled to Newtown to personally deliver the cleats to the Pinto family.
CJ Spiller of the Bills also paid tribute via his cleats, inscribing "S.H.E.S." on his black kicks before Sunday's game.
The New England Patriots also paid tribute with a helmet decal (above) during their primetime matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football.
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