NFL Kicks Off Preseason With Second of Silence After Deadly NYC Taking pictures

The NFL season kicked off on the annual Corridor of Fame sport Thursday night time with a second of silence for the 4 individuals killed earlier this week by a shooter who was focusing on league headquarters in New York.

The gunman additionally wounded a league worker within the taking pictures Monday night time. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell informed NBC he visited the worker for an hour on Wednesday and stated the person was enhancing.

“It’s simply heartbreaking for all of us,” Goodell stated. “It’s devastating. A tremendous younger man, and so we’re optimistic about his restoration and I feel that’s excellent news for all of us within the NFL and clearly our hearts proceed to be in help with the household. I feel it’s one thing that’s actually exhausting for all of us to grasp and to take care of.”

Goodell stayed in New York to attend the funeral for police officer Didarul Islam, who was killed within the taking pictures.

“It hits dwelling — the loss, the pointless and unexplainable loss — and it’s one thing all of us, , as New Yorkers really feel nice satisfaction within the NYPD and what they do, and all the primary responders,” Goodell stated. “So it was a tough, emotional afternoon, but in addition an incredible, heartwarming service.”

There was elevated safety round Tom Benson Stadium, the place Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates and Sterling Sharpe will probably be inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame on Saturday.

“That’s actual life and it’s unlucky that we stay in an area proper now that’s a chance, and it’s turning into a scenario the place in case you’re a father or mother, that’s the very first thing you concentrate on is office security in your little one or in your family members,” Eric Allen informed The Related Press. “And for it to particularly be the Nationwide Soccer League, the opening week is tonight, Corridor of Fame is Saturday, and the sport has made so many nice strides, but it surely’s simply an instance of there’s nonetheless work to be performed.”

The league held a digital city corridor on Wednesday, giving staff a chance to attach and share assets. Goodell informed staff on Tuesday they may work remotely at the very least by means of the tip of subsequent week as a result of league places of work can be closed.

Investigators consider Shane Tamura, 27, of Las Vegas, was attempting to get to the NFL places of work after taking pictures a number of individuals within the constructing’s foyer, then one other in a Thirty third-floor workplace on Monday, earlier than he killed himself, authorities stated.

Police stated Tamura had a historical past of psychological sickness, and a rambling be aware discovered on his physique prompt that he had a grievance in opposition to the NFL over a declare that he suffered from continual traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative mind illness that may be recognized solely by inspecting the mind after an individual dies.

Tamura performed highschool soccer in California a decade in the past however by no means within the NFL.

“It’s a tough factor, significantly when you’re coping with mindless acts like this,” Goodell stated. “They’re exhausting for all of us to grasp, when it inflicts ache on individuals and folks you care about and folks that we take care of each day, that’s significantly exhausting.

“As , these acts of mindless violence and hatred are occurring round our nation and our world, far too usually in faculties and church buildings and synagogues and different locations. This could simply not be occurring, however all of us need to proceed to be vigilant and do what we will to guard ourselves and the NFL’s going to do this with our staff and our individuals.”

Reporting by The Related Press.