Giants receiver Victor Cruz discusses meeting with family of slain 6-year-old

in this Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, photo, a shoe worn by New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz bears a message dedicated to 6-year-old Jack Pinto, one of the victims in last week's school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., as Cruz warms up for the Giants' NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis) (The Associated Press)

Atlanta Falcons strong safety Chris Hope (24) hits New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks) (The Associated Press)

Victor Cruz hopes meeting with the family of a 6-year-old boy killed in the Connecticut school shootings has helped them cope with the tragedy.

The New York Giants receiver on Wednesday somberly recounted his hour-long visit with Jack Pinto's family a day earlier, and says he was most affected when asked about their decision to bury their son in his No. 80 jersey.

Cruz stopped for a moment, his eyes becoming watery: "You never go through some circumstances like this. This was definitely the toughest by far."

Pinto's family said Cruz was their son's favorite player. Cruz was one of 20 20 first-graders and six adults killed in the shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Cruz wrote Jack Pinto's name on his cleats and gloves before the Giants' 34-0 loss to the Falcons. He presented them to the family Tuesday.

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