UMass players’ jerseys during Saturday’s spring game will bear the name of those killed in Boston attacks

UMass’ announced earlier this week that it was going to wear commemorative helmet stickers during its spring game to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, and offer those who participated in the Marathon a chance to come down to the field at halftime, run a lap and finish the race at a ceremonial finish line at midfield.

But this morning, the team added another touch — special jerseys to honors the victims and the city of Boston.

Four players will wear the names of those killed in the bombings — 8-year-old Martin Richard (DL Stanley Andre), Boston University grad student Lingzi Lu (TE Brandon Howard) and restaurant manager Krystle Campbell (WR Klysmann Afonso) — as well as the name of the slain MIT police officer Sean Collier (DB Randall Jette). Team captain Ron Blanchflower’s jersey will simply bear the hashtag #BostonStrong.

This is yet another element to an already touching tribute by the UMass football program and will no doubt bring a tear to the eye of anyone in attendance.

Well done, UMass. Well done.

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