The Columbus Crew and the Ohio State Buckeyes observed heart-rending moments of silence this weekend for a pair of hometown heroes, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. On Saturday, during their clash against New York, Crew fans at the stadium paused their cheers to remember the brothers, a solemn moment noted by ABC6. The silence was punctuated by supporters' spirited "Johnny Hockey" chant, echoing both the loss and legacy the Gaudreau siblings left behind.
After notching a victory on the field, Crew's star Cucho Hernandez conveyed the team's sentiments, dedicating the triumph to the Gaudreau family. Eviscerated earlier in the day, the Ohio State Buckeyes also paid their respects before kick-starting their season against Akron. Both ceremonies garnered attention on social media, with over 100,000 attendees present at the Ohio State game, revealing the depth of unity and support across Columbus sports circles, as reported by NBC4i.
Johnny, thriving as a forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Matthew both lost their lives in a tragic accident caused by a suspected drunk driver. The brothers, who were to stand as groomsmen at their sister's wedding, were struck down while cycling on a roadway in New Jersey, as CNN reports. The sports world has shown an outpouring of grief, with teams across the U.S. holding similar moments of silence to honor their memory.
This wave of tributes extended to the bereaved widow of Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith, who addressed her late husband in an emotional Instagram post, saying, "We are going to make you proud." as stated by CNN Sports Stricken by loss, her message resonated with thousands of followers, portraying the tragedy's personal and community ramifications.
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