Soccer Players Killed in Plane Crash Hits Homes in Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- The news of the crash of the jet carrying the Brazilian soccer team quickly traveled to Baltimore. As Mike Schuh reports, many professionals were friends with those aboard that plane.
Tuesday morning, Baltimore Blast players put on brave faces as they include critically ill children from Casey Cares into their regular practice.
The players, many dressed in PJ's, were upbeat with the kids as they promote their drive to get 800 pairs of pajamas donated to area hospitals.
But what the kids can't see or feel, is the heavy hearts of the seven players from Brazil.
Players like goalie William Vanzela.
"You just wake up and you hear plane has crashed and you don't know if your friends are alive or who's alive and which condition," said Vanzela.
He, like the other Brazilians knew of, played with, or were friends with the scrappy team, that celebrated the win that put them on that doomed plane to it's first international tournament.
The team's website posted a celebration, asking to remember, the players, most of them now dead, on top, celebrating and amidst the tragedy, William learned:
"One of my best friends is still alive. So, I don't know, we don't know which condition he is in. I'm praying for the best," he said. "I have a lot of people who give me support and saying that they are sending prayers to the families."
Vanzela is heartbroken over the death of Caio Junior, the team's coach and one of his former coaches, who is from his hometown. He is thankful that the coach's son survived because he forgot his passport and could not board the plane.
"My prayers are with them right now, hopefully god can give them better days," said Vanzela.
Members of the team ask for prayers for the players families.
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