Pro athletes aren't always jerks:

Players rally around child after grandfather collapses

CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Reds players rallied around a 6-year-old boy after his grandfather collapsed in the stands.

"We just tried to make a bad situation a little better," said outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.

While paramedics were working on the grandfather, security officer Bill Summee took the boy to the Reds bullpen. The Reds did not release the name of the grandfather, who died Wednesday night of an apparent heart attack.

The boy, identified as Antonio Perez of Hamilton, sat with players for the last two innings of the game, and Griffey went and got him when the game ended. The boy participated in the Reds' high-fives celebrating their 8-5 victory over Atlanta, and he then joined the players in the clubhouse.

Clubhouse manager Rick Stowe said the Reds showered the boy with bats, wristbands, and autographed baseballs. Shortstop Felipe Lopez gave him the batting helmet, autographed, that Lopez wore in this year's All-Star game.

The players kept the boy distracted until his parents arrived.

A tough day for the kid, perhaps made a bit better by the kindness of strangers.

"We play a game," Griffey said. "What he was going through doesn't compare. It was important that the little guy not be by himself."

That is perspective. I'm glad to see it hasn't disappeared.

(via Fark)

Posted by Russ at 04:20 PM, August 5, 2005 in News