Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said it was important for him to be there for Nicolas Elizalde's family after the 14-year-old was gunned down following a football practice at Roxborough High School, last year.
"The way we lost Nicolas was truly tragic. I feel like the least I could do was be there for the family," said Hurts.
In December, Hurts visited Walter B. Saul High School in Roxborough -- the school that Elizalde attended -- where the quarterback spent time with Elizalde's friends and family.
"As soon as he started approaching me, I just instantly burst into tears," Meredith Elizalde, Nicolas' mother, told NBC10. "He probably thought I was crazy."
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Since then, the family has kept in touch with Hurts.
In fact, after Hurts visited Nicolas' school, Elizalde's grandmother sent the quarterback a letter that he remembered fondly.
"A letter of encouragement, appreciation... a letter full of love," recalled Hurts. "When I say, 'it's a Philly thing,' that's exactly what I mean."
