NFL Pays Tribute To Boston Marathon Hero

Following the tragic events of this years Boston Marathon, the NFL paid tribute to one of their own, former New England Patriots linebacker Joe Andruzzi who rushed in to save some of the victims of the massacre. INSIDE EDITION has the story.

It was a moving tribute on live TV honoring one of the heroes of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Fans at the NFL Draft, held at New York City's Radio City Music Hall gave a standing ovation to former New England Patriots offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi.

He was captured in a now iconic photo tenderly carrying a survivor to safety.  

The emotional tribute to the Boston Marathon hero at Radio City Music Hall was the highlight of a night that saw NFL teams select the best players in college football.

Andruzzi said at the Draft, “We have a new saying in Boston, ‘Boston Strong,’ baby!”

He unveiled a football jersey with the number 617, the area code of Boston, while the crowd chanted "Boston Strong."

As he posed for photos with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, fans then began singing along to the Boston anthem, "Sweet Caroline.”

Andruzzi was near the Boston Marathon finish line raising money for cancer patients when he rushed into the carnage to help.  

Heroism runs in the family. His three brothers are New York City firefighters who responded to the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.  

Andruzzi said, “We will continue together in the hardest of times, as we did at the Boston Marathon, the goodness of people in the face of adversity.”