NYPD Precinct Gets Thank-You Visit From Giants' Weatherford
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford says he was sick to his stomach to hear of the ambush killing of two NYPD officers.
So on Tuesday, back from the team's trip to St. Louis, Weatherford dropped in on the 18th Precinct in Midtown to show his appreciation to the men and women in blue.
"What they do for us on a daily basis, I know it doesn't get enough credit," Weatherford told the New York Daily News. "People don't say 'Thank you' enough for the times that they don't need the police because everything is under control and everybody is safe. It's a very thankless job, and I just wanted to go there and really just tell them 'Thank you for doing what you do for us, for putting your life in danger on a daily basis to afford us the safety and security so we can sleep peacefully at night,' and 'I appreciate everything that you do.'"
Giants coach Tom Coughlin wore a black strip and a peace pin during New York's game against the Rams in tribute to Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, who were murdered in their patrol car Saturday in Brooklyn. Officials said the suspect, who killed himself in a nearby subway station, invoked the names Michael Brown and Eric Garner -- both men lost their lives at the hands of police -- on social media before opening fire.
The Jets, Rangers and Nets have also paid tribute to the fallen officers, and a foundation set up by late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner will fund the education for Ramos' two sons.
Weatherford said his "heart is broken" for the NYPD.
"And while it's still fresh, I wanted them to know there's a lot of people out there who care about them and appreciate them and that we're praying for them, too," he said.
Capt. Mark Iocco -- Weatherford's friend who assisted with setting up the visit, according to the Daily News -- said the punter gave a pep talk that "hit home, big time."
"He came in very serious," Capt. Iocco told the newspaper. "You could see the remorse on his face. We were all smiling at the end, but when he came in he had that grim look of mourning. He expressed that, how much he feels for us. He wanted to pay respects to us, to stand with us. And he did."
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