One day after the tragic school shooting at Parkland’s Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Anthony Rizzo was in his hometown at a vigil for the victims.
The Chicago Cubs first baseman — a Stoneman Douglas graduate — got understandably emotional during his speech.
Chicago Cubs star @ARizzo44 gets emotional as he addresses vigil in his hometown of Parkland. Rizzo says he “grew up at Stoneman Douglas” #StonemanShooting pic.twitter.com/8XPy9W9WOb
— Adam Kuperstein (@Adam4NY) February 16, 2018
Rizzo also let his former school that it was not alone in the grieving process.
“I want you to know you’re not alone in this. The whole country is grieving with you,” says Stoneman Douglas grad and pro baseball player @ARizzo44 at #Parkland vigil for #stonemanshooting victims.
— Lucas Daprile (@LucasDaprile) February 16, 2018
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Rizzo offered his support while also saying “our country is in desperate need for change.”
In Arizona, where the Cubs are gathering for spring training, Rizzo’s teammate and South Florida native, Albert Almora Jr. also shared his thoughts.
“I played their a couple of times,” Almora said. “I mean, it could happen to anyone, man. Nowadays, you think twice about going somewhere, just ’cause things like that can happen at any time. And it’s really unfortunate. My prayers go out to all the victims and their families, and the people that were affected. Just to experience that will change your life forever. … The only thing that we can do now is just to come together. We’re obviously all here for Anthony, for that school, and all those families.”
This is an all too familiar feeling for the Cubs. In addition to the South Florida natives, Kris Bryant is from Las Vegas, which is still reeling from October’s tragic shooting.