Colorado Rockies Spend Off Day Visiting Aurora Theater Shooting Victims, Keeping Sports in Perspective

by Dan Duquette Jr. on Thu, Jul 26, 2012 at 10:03PM

It's hard to find a group of professional athletes in Colorado who aren't doing the right thing these days.

The Colorado Rockies became the latest to do just that, taking the time to visit the Aurora theater shooting victims on their off day Thursday to lift some spirits at the hospital.

Manager Jim Tracy led a group of 12 players including Todd Helton and Michael Cuddyer on the trip, where the group posed for photos with victims and hospital staff.

It was not only an opportunity for many players to use their celebrity to help out those who need a pick-me-up, but it was also a chance for the Rockies to gain some perspective on how fortunate they are to be playing professional baseball.

"[I'm] blessed to be in my position," outfielder Eric Young, Jr. tweeted afterwards, "but the heroes are the staffs that work at hospitals saving lives. I have a better understanding of that [today]."

It's been heartwarming to see the outpouring of support from many of the celebrities and athletes stopping by, from Christian Bale meeting victims to Peyton Manning and the Broncos stopping by the hospital to the Denver Nuggets donning black headbands in remembrance.

Sports are important, sure, but only to a point. It's times of tragedy, unfortunate though they may be, that put things into perspective at times. Luckily the athletes of Colorado are realizing just that while doing the right thing time after time.

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@Rockies