Parkland coach was ‘true hero,’ says Rizzo

Anthony Rizzo’s parents were among the first homeowners in Parkland, Fla. He has watched his tight community grow and change dramatically. He remembers as a boy when there were no stoplights in town to the four there are now.

The Cubs first baseman still feels tied to his hometown that touches up on the Everglades.

So last week, after the shooting rampage at his former high school, Rizzo knew he had to go home. “Numb” is how he described his initial feelings.

He left his team’s camp in Arizona and spoke at a candlelight vigil at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He visited victims in the hospital. He spent time with his parents, brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew. He spoke with neighbours.

“I felt helpless here,” Rizzo said Monday upon rejoining his teammates at spring training. “That’s where I grew up: in Parkland. I got in trouble there. I succeeded there. I learned how to be who I am because of Parkland, because of Stoneman Douglas.”

A 2007 graduate of the school, Rizzo played for slain assistant football coach Aaron Feis and Rizzo’s brother played four seasons for him, too. Rizzo, who last November donated US$150,000 toward getting lights for the baseball and softball fields, saw him a few weeks ago.

“Every single one of my best friends in high school, we all have memories of coach Feis,” Rizzo said.

“For him to lay his life down like that and save kids just shows the type of person he is. He has, I believe, a daughter or son at home. He’s a true hero.”