Anthony Rizzo left spring training to go back home, where 17 people were killed Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. The Chicago Cubs first baseman is a 2007 graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and recently donated $150,000 to his alma mater.
Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has returned to Florida to be with his family and Parkland community
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 15, 2018
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he told Rizzo he could take as much time as he needed and offered his support.
Maddon exchanged text messages with Rizzo, told him to take as much time as needed.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 15, 2018
Via ESPN.
“I told him to get back to us if there was anything we can do to help,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Thursday. “I definitely want him to go back there and be involved. I told him, ‘Take as much time as you want.'”
Sadly, Rizzo isn’t the only player on the team to have had a mass shooting directly impact someone they know. On Oct. 1, 2017, Kris Bryant’s sister in law was in Las Vegas, where the deadliest mass shooting in the United States occurred.
Bryant speaking with a heavy heart about the shootings in AZ Las Vegas and Parkland, FL. “I don’t know if it’s set in yet.” Hopes Rizzo can help community rebound like what he witnessed in Vegas.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 15, 2018
“I know Anthony will have a big influence in Florida, but it’s so sad that it happened. I can’t imagine what some of those people are going through. It speaks to who Anthony really is. Anthony is a role model for everyone on this team and in Chicago and this country. I know he’ll do anything he can do to help.”
(Kris Bryant)
Rizzo and his family knew some of the victims, including football coach Aaron Feis, who was killed while shielding students from the shooter. Rizzo played football as a freshman, when Feis was an assistant coach.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS Football Coach & Security Guard, Aaron Feis, GAVE his life yesterday after being shot multiple times while shielding students during the gunfire.
If you're looking for a #Hero, there he is. 🇺🇸#StonemanDouglasHS #Stonemanshooting #AaronFeis pic.twitter.com/k3432CN4Li
— Kerstetter 5K (@KERSTETTER5K) February 15, 2018
After the shooting, Rizzo tweeted out support for his community and also called for a change.
Parkland and Coral Springs please stay strong! This is out of control and and our country is in desperate need for change. I hope In this darkest of times back home this brings everyone together and we can find love. You’re all in my prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) February 14, 2018
Rizzo’s former football coach wasn’t the only person killed that he had a connection to.
Via ESPN.
Jaime Guttenberg, who was killed in Wednesday’s shooting according to a Facebook post by her father, was a relative of Rizzo’s longtime agent.
There have been 18 school shootings so far this year in the United States according to Everytown for Gun Safety.
Albert Almora Jr., who is also from Florida, discussed the tragedy as well.
Almora on school shooting: “There’s got to be something done. …I saw that there’s been 18 mass shootings in the first 2 months of this year. I don’t care what your political beliefs are, that just can’t happen.”
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 15, 2018
Almora on shooting at Rizzo's alma mater in FLA: “Now having a son yourself, and putting yourself in parents’ situations right now, it’s miserable. Miserable.”
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 15, 2018
Almora on FLA school shooting: “Nowadays, man, you think twice about going somewhere just because things like that could happen at any time.”
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 15, 2018
The Cubs won’t have spring training games until Feb. 23. At this time there’s no word when Rizzo will return to Mesa.
