Alex Anzalone celebrates Lions win with family in Tampa after their return from Israel
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone was able to celebrate his team’s win on Sunday with his parents after their safe return from Israel amid the ongoing conflict abroad. The Lions defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-6 with Anzalone leading all defenders with nine tackles, including a TFL.
“Moments like this put everything in perspective. Sometimes we take family for granted, especially parents. We tend to think they’ll always be here for us. Love you Mom and Dad, more than you know,” Anzalone wrote on X after the win.
The Lions star shared on Thursday, following several stressful days for his family, that his parents, stuck in Israel as Hamas militants began an assault on the nation, managed to get out of the country safely.
“Thank you to everyone who has been saying prayers for my family and their safety,” Anzalone posted on X. “It’s been a scary, anxiety filled several days but my parents are headed home safely. So many people to thank but I know this, God is good.”
The former Florida Gator shared a photo with his parents and extended family after the win on Sunday.
Anzalone’s parents, Sal and Judy, were part of a tour group of 53 Americans. They arrived in Israel on Oct. 2 with the tour group from First Naples, a Baptist congregation in Naples, Florida. The group managed to grab a flight out of Tel Aviv on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Florida representative Cory Mills, an Iraq war veteran, flew to Israel to help rescue another 32 Americans stuck in the war-torn nation. Photos showed the congressman on a flight back to the U.S. with his passengers, however, he was unable to share more details about the rescue mission or its location due to operational concerns and constraints, Fox News reported.
U.S. citizens killed in Israel amid Hamas attacks
At least 30 Americans reportedly died in the attacks and in the following days, with one more added to the total over the weekend. The U.S. State Department is also aware of 13 American nationals who are “unaccounted for,” a spokesperson said on Sunday. That number has gone down by two people since Saturday, per CNN.
The NFL posted a message on X last week in support of peace in the region and an end to terrorism and hate.
“The NFL mourns the loss of innocent lives in Israel and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism,” the league’s statement reads. “The depravity of these acts is beyond comprehension, and we grieve with the families of those killed, injured and still missing. We pray for peace and will always stand against the evils of hate.”