Former New England Patriots player Julian Edelman took to social media to respond to the recent shooting at Brown University and a terrorist attack during a Hanukkah celebration in Australia. Being Jewish himself, Edelman emphasized that “some things are more important than sports” and urged his followers to pray for the victims of both tragedies.
He wrote, “Tonight, please take a moment to pray for Australia and the communities affected by Brown University.” Edelman added, “No matter where, when or how, violence is never the answer. Hatred is a disease and has no place in our society.”
These attacks occurred over the weekend, beginning with a gunman who killed two individuals and injured nearly a dozen at the Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island. A person of interest was briefly detained but later released due to insufficient evidence linking them to the incident.
Simultaneously, in Sydney’s Bondi Beach area, two gunmen launched an attack during a Hanukkah event, resulting in at least 15 fatalities and several injuries.
The Patriots honored the victims with a moment of silence before their game against the Buffalo Bills. A map of Australia alongside a heart symbol at Sydney’s location was displayed on the Gillette Stadium video board prior to kickoff, conveying a message of solidarity during the CBS broadcast. It read, “We join the entire NFL community in keeping them and their loved ones in our thoughts.”
Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a prominent advocate for Jewish causes, had previously expressed concern about rising anti-Semitism. He shared his sentiments about the need for the country to uphold its values. “This is the greatest country in the world, but we’re losing our way a little bit,” Kraft remarked.
Additionally, during their game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Philadelphia Eagles issued a statement addressing the tragic events. They expressed their grief over the losses, stating, “Hate and acts of violence have no place in our world. We hold the victims, their families, and loved ones in our hearts.”
