The Philadelphia community and the world of sports were grieved as Pearl Jam paid homage to NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew during their Saturday night concert at the Wells Fargo Center. A drunk driver in Salem County tragically killed the Gaudreau brothers, reported NBC Philadelphia. Amid the music and the electric energy typical of a Pearl Jam show, frontman Eddie Vedder paused to reflect on the loss – a pain he shares, having experienced the death of his brother years prior.
With heavy hearts, the band dedicated their song "Given To Fly" to the memory of the two brothers. At the same time, jerseys from Johnny's Gloucester Catholic High School ice hockey team and Matthew's Reading Royals took the stage alongside the musicians. Both jerseys stood as silent testaments to lives cut painfully short and careers that resonated with so many fans. As CBS News Philadelphia noted, the driver involved in the accident, Sean Higgins, has been charged with two counts of death by auto and had admitted to consuming alcohol before the crash.
Expressions of sorrow and respect have transcended beyond the music, taking shape across the sports community. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames, teams with which Johnny was affiliated, held vigils, while emotional tributes from teammates and fans illuminated the brothers' deep ties to the local hockey scene. As detailed by FOX 29, Vedder expressed his and the band's condolences saying, "We thought we’d recognize them and wish their family and loved ones and teammates strength to get through. It's a difficult time."
The final rites for the Gaudreaus are scheduled for today at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, providing a somber bookmark to the weekend's events. A public viewing was held yesterday while the service, intended for friends and family, will be conducted in a more intimate setting.
