The National Football League and the nonprofit Folds of Honor will give the three sons of Detective Didarul Islam full-ride scholarships.
Islam was one of four people killed in July during a mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, home of the league’s headquarters.
What You Need To Know
The National Football League and the nonprofit Folds of Honor will give the three sons of Detective Didarul Islam full-ride scholarships
Islam was one of four people killed in July during a mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, home of the league’s headquarters.
Folds of Honor has awarded 73,000 scholarships to military and first responder families
“I’m really happy that they’re talking about my dad. His ultimate sacrifice was really good,” 8-year-old Ahyan Islam said.
“After Islam was gone. We thought it was over. No one is going to take care of the family anymore,” Islam’s brother-in-law Kamrul Hasan said.
That changed the day after the funeral, when Hasan said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell showed up at their home.
He told the family that if they needed anything, to reach out. Months later, he kept that promise.
“This is what true first responders do. And what true heroes do. They run to the fire. They run to the emergency with no questions asked,” Goodell said.
“It was about honoring the sacrifice of Detective Islam by educating the legacy of his three young boys,” Folds of Honor Founder Dan Rooney said.
Hasan said the hardest parts are the moments of trying to answer questions no child should have to ask.
“When I’m stepping in the 47 Precinct, he saw one of the ambulances. He asked me, ‘Is the ambulance coming back with my father today?’” Hasan said.
And while the loss will never fade, knowing Islam’s children are being cared for brings a small measure of peace.
“For the NFL to step up and give them that support, that means a lot to our family,” Hasan said.
Folds of Honor has awarded 73,000 scholarships to military and first responder families.