When multiple bombs went off near the finish of the Boston Marathon on Monday, people both inside and outside the state of Massachusetts were touched emotionally by the tragedy -- the sports world was no different. Games in Boston were canceled Monday and Tuesday, but representatives of the city’s teams as well as many of the city’s sporting rivals pledged support both financially and emotionally in the following hours and days.
Boston Marathon bombings: How teams honored the victims of Monday’s attack
Teams across various sports, both from within the Boston area and from rival cities, found ways to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon attack.
The Star-Ledger-USA TODAY Sports
Here are several of those honored the victims:
Marathon bombings
Full coverage of the Boston Marathon attack. NFL
New England Patriots
New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft will match up to $100,000 in donations made to help the recovery of victims at the Boston Marathon. Fans should make their donations through the Patriots’ website and use the phrase “Boston Marathon.”
Kraft said in a news release posted on the team’s site:
“We are grieving for the victims of this senseless act. It is not lost on us that this tragedy occurred on Patriots Day, at an event where our own staff and their families were participating, and where thousands of runners were raising money for charities with which we are associated either through our Foundation, our alumni or our friends. Our focus is on helping those in need and beginning the healing process. We hope by matching donations we will encourage more people to give.”
MLB
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox played in Cleveland on Thursday, showing off their Boston pride both before the game, by hanging a jersey stating “Boston Strong” on the back of it in the dugout, and after the game, with a “B Strong” banner autographed by the team.
“A win for our city tonight” is how this photo was captioned.
After Boston’s 7-2 victory, Red Sox players and their manager expressed sympathy for their city and their solidarity with its people. Manager John Farrel told the Globe:
”Given the events and tragedy of yesterday, this was a good way to maybe send some positive energy back towards Boston.
“This is fresh on everyone’s mind. Even though we might not be in Boston right now, we carry this with us. We feel very much a part of the city of Boston, the community, and everything that goes on there.”
New York Yankees
The Yankees, like several major league baseball teams, played “Sweet Caroline” during a break between innings. The song is most associated with its play at Fenway Park, where Red Sox fans sing along with it before the bottom of the eighth inning. The Yankees hung a banner outside Yankee Stadium with the Red Sox’s and Yankees’ logos and the words “United We Stand.” New York also held a moment of silence before the game.
NHL
The Canadiens honored the victims in Boston before their game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.
Philadelphia Flyers
Before hosting the New York Rangers at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday, the Philadelphia Flyers held a moment of silence for victims. The Flyers showed a tribute to both victims and first responders during the playing of “God Bless America.”
Boston Bruins
The Bruins were set to host the Ottawa Senators on Monday, but the NHL made the decision to postpone the game. It will be made up April 28 at TD Garden. “On behalf of my entire family, our prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who were injured, lost their lives, their families and the entire City of Boston,” Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs said through a statement released by the team on Tuesday. “I have no doubt that the amazing people in Boston will continue to display great strength and resiliency and we will be there to offer our support in any way that we can in the wake of this tragedy.”
NBA
Boston Celtics
The league canceled the Boston Celtics’ game against the Indiana Pacers, previously scheduled for Tuesday night at TD Garden. The NBA said in a statement:
“Our sincere sympathies go out to all those affected by this senseless tragedy,” the Celtics said in a news release. “The entire Celtics organization would like to acknowledge the heroic efforts of the brave civilian, police, fire and medical personnel responding today in the City of Boston.”
The game will not be made up.
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