Competing Connecticut lacrosse teams come together to honor slain athlete

Competing highschool lacrosse groups in Connecticut got here collectively Wednesday to honor slain athlete James McGrath, who was fatally stabbed throughout a combat over the weekend.

The touching tribute to McGrath, a 17-year-old junior and lacrosse participant at Fairfield School Preparatory College, passed off on the Fairfield Prep recreation towards Shelton Excessive College.

The teenager’s household, buddies and classmates crammed the bleachers, wearing child blue, McGrath’s favourite colour, and wore t-shirts bearing his lacrosse quantity, 7.

The Shelton group additionally swapped their regular uniform for shirts with McGrath’s quantity on them throughout the recreation.

“It is a day to rejoice Jimmy’s life,” the slain teen’s dad, Kevin McGrath, stated from the sphere earlier than the sport, in keeping with Fox Information.

The daddy, joined by his spouse, instructed the group his son introduced the blue skies and sunshine for the sport after a lacrosse season largely stuffed with dangerous climate.

Kevin McGrath stated he and his household have been grateful for the outpouring of assist each communities have confirmed them in days after son’s demise.

“I really like each single one in all you,” he stated. “You may have made a tough scenario higher.”

McGrath’s mom Maggie fought again sobs at a number of factors as her husband spoke. Kevin McGrath stated their son wouldn’t wish to see them shed a tear.

“Jimmy doesn’t need us to cry for him,” Kevin McGrath stated. “Jimmy’s up there along with his buddies, his cousins who’ve handed. They’re up there wanting down upon us right now.”

Following his phrases, gamers from each groups hugged and consoled McGrath’s mother and father as they have been launched by an announcer.

Although McGrath attended Fairfield Prep, a personal Catholic highschool for boys, he was buddies with many college students and lacrosse gamers at Shelton Excessive, the place his sister Rosie is a senior.

Each groups began the sport with a person down, to honor the lacking participant, CT Insider reported.

Hours earlier than the sport, a 16-year-old from Milton was arrested on expenses of homicide and three counts of first-degree assault over the Saturday night time stabbing outdoors a house in Shelton late Saturday.

An internet obituary for McGrath stated {the teenager} had many buddies who cared deeply for him.

“He was an excellent pal who had the reward of all the time seeing the most effective in everybody and spreading happiness wherever he went,” the obituary states. “He shall be so missed and his reminiscence shall be treasured by all.”

A funeral mass for McGrath is deliberate for Friday at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull, in keeping with his obituary.