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NFL to observe moment of silence prior to Week 15 games
In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, where a gunman shot and killed 26 people, including 20 children between the age of 5 and 10, the National Football League has asked each stadium to observe a moment of silence prior to kickoff in this weekend's games.
"This shocking event has brought the nation together in grieving for the victims and their families as well as the survivors," the league memo read. "We believe it is appropriate and important for us to collectively recognize and participate in the grieving process at our games this weekend, as we have done on other occasions."
The moment of silence will take place prior to the playing of the national anthem.
Like us all, NFL executives, coaches and players have families and were no doubt shocked and horrified by the events that took place in Connecticut. Many have expressed their condolences to those affected by the tragedy on Twitter and through the media.
According to Paul Gutierrez of CSN Bay Area, players on the Oakland Raiders were asking reporters for details on the incident following Friday's practice. Raiders safety Tyvon Branch, who played his college ball at the University of Connecticut, shared his thoughts on the incident.
"I don't care where it is, anytime you hear about something as tragic as kids being killed in school, all you can do is pray and hope everything, you know, hope the Lord works everything out," Branch said.
More Yahoo! coverage of the Newtown school shooting
•Yahoo! News coverage
•Athletes react
