Sunday, December 30, 2012

Sandy Hook community honored by Giants at pre-game ceremony

Nearly 400 students, parents and faculty members from Sandy Hook Elementary School were honorary guests at MetLife Stadium in pre-game ceremony before the New York Giants played the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

The honored guests also included 50 members of the Wounded Warrior Project.

The 450 strong group formed two lines leading from the tunnels to the field as the players from both teams passed through — high-fiving and hugging the adoring kids.

The touching scene took place right before they joined hands and lined the perimeter of the playing field in a moment of silence to pay tribute to the 26 victims of the Newtown, Conn. school shooting.


The special guests of honor held signs like, "We are Sandy Hook" and "A Giant thanks from Sandy Hook."



Before the ceremony the families were allowed onto the field to watch pre-game warmups and wave to  the crowd.  The school is located about 60 miles northeast of MetLife Stadium and many of the children call themselves Giants fans.  Nine chartered buses made the hour and a half drive for the festivities.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning summed up the ceremony as best he could.

"We can't help them forget," he said.  "But we can help give them something for three hours to smile about."

The Giants held up their end of the bargain and won the game, 42-7.

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