Patriots To Honor Newtown Victims At Sunday Night's Game

The New England Patriots will honor the victims of the Newtown, Conn. tragedy during Sunday night’s football game.

One flare for each life lost will be lit before kick-off and the team will wear black ribbon logos on their helmets.

“Some of the players are thinking, ‘This could’ve been my child,' ” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Sunday afternoon, adding that he was surprised by an emotional conversation he had with defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. The tragedy in Newtown is weighing heavily on the team.

“We just want that community to know that our entire organization is thinking of them and with them and be part of this support and mourning process because we do feel it very deeply,” he said.

Kraft also donated $25,000 to Newtown. His family owns a box company less than two miles from the Sandy Hook Elementary School.

“It’s such a wonderful community,” Kraft said. “And if it can happen there, it can happen anywhere and it’s very very sad.”

Members of the media have been using the Rand-Whitney box company building as a staging area in the aftermath of the shooting.

When asked if he has further plans to support the community Kraft said he will work with them.

"I think everybody’s in shock now," Kraft said. "So I think we have to let some time go by and stand back and see how we can be the most supportive and impactful there.”

The Patriots game against the San Francisco 49ers starts at 8 p.m.

The New York Giants and Jets will also honor the victims at their games this week.