Members of the Newtown, Ct. community on the field before game between the Giants and Eagles Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012 in East Rutherford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Chris Snee and Justin Tuck greet fans from Newtown, Ct. before the football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — They carried signs expressing gratitude and love. They exchanged high-fives with players and ringed the field during the national anthem.
About 400 residents of Newtown, Conn., attended the New York Giants-Philadelphia Eagles game Sunday. Among them were a few families who lost children in the massacre this month, the Giants said. One was the family of Jack Pinto, the 6-year-old boy buried in a No. 80 jersey of Giants receiver Victor Cruz.
"We certainly wanted to honor and respect them," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "We wanted to try to do our part to help them in the healing process. I hope they left with some inspiration today."
The families arrived in nine chartered buses. There were some 200 students from the school system to which Sandy Hook Elementary School belongs.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell greeted the Newtown group in a stadium tunnel. The residents formed a gantlet to welcome players from both teams before the game. Then they held hands during the anthem.
"It was awesome," Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora said after the Giants' 42-7 victory. "Imagine what they went through on that horrific day. For them to come out here and support us as they did, it was an unbelievable feeling. We had a great effort out there for them."
Coughlin and Eagles coach Andy Reid slowly walked the gantlet and said hello to as many people as they could.
The game was played just more than two weeks after the attack that shattered Newtown and reverberated across the country — 20 children and six adults slain in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
The team did not allow access to the guests, saying they just wanted to attend the game and enjoy themselves.
The Newtown visitors held at least a dozen hand-made signs in the stadium. One green-and-white sign read, "Sandy Hook: We Choose Love."
Giants fullback Henry Hynoski said he could not have had a better 24th birthday than sharing it with the families from Newtown.
"It was emotional, running out and giving them high-fives and seeing the joy on their faces," Hynoski said. "We played for them. After all they've been through, they were out to see us. It gave us a lot of extra drive to get the win for them."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:10 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:10:21 GMT
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:06 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:06:47 GMT
Looking for some waterfront property in tony Greenwich? A 50-acre compound known as Copper Beach Farm has hit the market with an asking price of $190 million.
Looking for some waterfront property in tony Greenwich? A 50-acre compound known as Copper Beach Farm has hit the market with an asking price of $190 million.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:58 AM EDT2013-05-20 09:58:10 GMT
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad released the following information regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad released the following information regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:05:54 GMT
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:24 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:24:33 GMT
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:35 AM EDT2013-05-17 13:35:33 GMT
Danbury's police chief says four officers have violated the city's police rules governing rudeness and civility during a routine traffic stop and that the matter has been referred to state prosecutors.
Danbury's police chief says four officers have violated the city's police rules governing rudeness and civility during a routine traffic stop and that the matter has been referred to state prosecutors.
Tuesday, January 8 2013 5:14 PM EST2013-01-08 22:14:16 GMT
The sound of bells echoed through grief-stricken Newtown, Connecticut, Tuesday. More than 1,000 brightly ornamented bells were hung throughout the town by volunteers.
The sound of bells echoed through grief-stricken Newtown, Connecticut, Tuesday. More than 1,000 brightly ornamented bells were hung throughout the town by volunteers.
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Members of the Newtown, Ct. community on the field before game between the Giants and Eagles Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012 in East Rutherford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Chris Snee and Justin Tuck greet fans from Newtown, Ct. before the football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
