In the dense hush of a remote forest, a lone traveler stumbled into a clearing under a moonlit sky. Among the trees, a strange silhouette stirred — a creature cloaked in twilight, its eyes glinting with a gentle luminescence. The stranger froze, heart pounding, when it stepped forward, silent as a shadow. It raised its head, and in that instant, the creature’s throat opened in a low, mournful hum, like the chord of an old anthem. The traveler, moved to tears by its sound, offered a hand, and the creature bowed, as though accepting an unspoken covenant. That surreal moment — between two unlikely beings bound by empathy — speaks to the strange, delicate unity that has swept across the nation this week, as fans of the New England Patriots have come together in tears to honor one of their NFL brethren: Kris Boyd.

On Sunday morning in New York City, the NFL community was jolted by heartbreak. New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd, 29, was critically wounded in a shooting outside Sei Less, an Asian-fusion restaurant in midtown Manhattan. AP News+2NFL.com+2 The bullet struck his abdomen, and he was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition. NFL.com+2BostonGlobe.com+2

In response, players and officials from another franchise — the New England Patriots — quietly made a deeply human gesture: they placed small helmet decals bearing the letters “KB17” on every practice helmet, transforming their training ground into a makeshift shrine of solidarity. For fans, it was a powerful symbol: a rival team rallying around one of their own in his darkest hour.

The morning after the shooting, a stillness seemed to settle over Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Patriots’ practice facility, typically a buzz of energy and strategy, felt different. Coaches arrived to find helmets carefully arranged on racks, each one bearing a simple white sticker — “KB17” — pressed above the usual team logo. Trainers and equipment staff shared solemn looks; even the rookies, used to banter and bravado, fell quiet.

A veteran equipment manager wiped his eyes as he gently applied one of the decals. “It’s not just about football today,” he said softly, “it’s about life.”

Word reached local fans quickly. Social media lit up with photographs of the helmets. Patriots supporters, many of whom had little direct connection to Boyd, reposted the images with messages of hope, prayers, and goodwill. Some wrote, “Brothers in the league”; others simply said, “Get well, Kris.”

One fan in a packed New England sports bar wiped away a tear while raising a glass. “I don’t even know him,” she said, voice shaking, “but that gesture… it means so much.”

To understand the gravity of this moment, it helps to look back at Boyd’s journey. Born in East Texas, Boyd made his name at the University of Texas before being selected in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Wikipedia Over six seasons, he became known as a special teams standout — gritty, dependable, always ready when his number was called.

In 2025, he signed with the New York Jets as a free agent. BostonGlobe.com+1 Tragically, he never took the field for them this season: he had been placed on injured reserve in August after a shoulder surgery. BostonGlobe.com But in the locker rooms and on special-teams meetings, his presence loomed large — he was respected, well-liked, a player who carried himself with humility.

The timeline of the incident is now painfully familiar. At around 2:09 a.m. on Sunday, November 16, NYPD officers responded to a  911 call outside 156 West 38th Street, near Seventh Avenue — the location of Sei Less. People.com+2ABC+2 Surveillance images released by authorities show a sleek, dark SUV — a BMW X8 — speeding away from the scene, followed closely by a second vehicle, a Mercedes‑Maybach. Reuters+1 The gunman remains at large.

Boyd was found by first responders with a gunshot wound to his abdomen and was immediately transported to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, where he was listed in critical but stable condition. BostonGlobe.com+1 Mayor Eric Adams later confirmed the victim was the Jets cornerback, and urged the community to pray for his recovery. The Washington Post

As news spread, his Jets teammates immediately rallied on social media. Linebacker Jermaine Johnson posted a heartfelt message:

“Everybody please send prayers to my brother and teammate Kris Boyd and his family!!! Lord please hold your healing hand over Kris and guide him back to health and safety.” BostonGlobe.com
Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips echoed the sentiment:
“Lord, place your mighty hand on him as he fights lord God. Guide every doctor, nurse, and surgeon who touches him lord. Give his family strength! Kris is a fighter and we’re all here for him.” BostonGlobe.com

Grief rippled far beyond the NFL. On Reddit, Jets and Patriots fans alike expressed shared sorrow and solidarity. One user wrote:

“Hope he’s ok. Manhattan is pretty safe nowadays, I’m surprised this happened.” Reddit Another added:
“Could happen anywhere. Catch a fight in a bar … someone pulls out a gun. This is just America right now.” Reddit

Back in New England, Patriots coach Bill Belichick addressed the locker room on Monday morning. He didn’t command the helmets to be stickered — that idea came up organically, according to sources close to the team. Still, he offered his support in a quiet speech.

“There’s no playbook for pain,” he told his players. “But I know one thing: when one of us suffers, we are all responsible. Let’s carry that with us, not just today, but always.”

Wide receivers, offensive linemen, special teams — everyone gathered in a circle before practice began. A team captain suggested a moment of silence. They held their breath for sixty seconds, then broke. Nobody shouted, nobody cheered. But there was unity.

On social media, the gesture resonated. Patriots Nation, known for its fierce loyalty and rivalry with other teams, embraced this act of empathy. X (formerly Twitter) lit up with messages like:

• “Patriots showing what sportsmanship really means.”

• “KB17 will not be forgotten.”

• “Standing with Kris, across the league.”

Some fans created temporary profile pictures featuring “KB17” in the same green and white fonts of Patriots gear. Others donated to local charities in Boyd’s name, saying his fight deserved more than thoughts — it deserved action.