FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick began his Friday morning news conference with a few words of support for two Boston police officers who were critically wounded by gunfire earlier in the week.
“Before we get into Cincinnati, on behalf of the team, I just want to express our appreciation and support for the Boston Police Department (with) what they’ve been going through here these last couple of days,” Belichick said. “The injured officers, their families. I can imagine — I can’t imagine, but I can imagine — the stress that that department has to deal with, their challenges every day and the difficulty of the situation that they’ve been put in.
“So I just want to let them know we’re behind them. We appreciate them and what they do for us and how they protect us. We’re there for them.”
Officers Richard Cintolo and Matthew Morris were shot Wednesday night after responding to a domestic disturbance in East Boston’s Orient Heights neighborhood. Both were rushed to the hospital and received multiple blood transfusions, according to Boston Police commissioner William Evans.
“They’re recovering, which is really good news,” Evans told reporters Thursday, via CBS Boston. “Please keep them in your prayers.”
Nine other officers on the scene received treatment for minor injuries and emotional trauma, Evans told reporters.
The Patriots host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
