Rangers Honor Steven McDonalds’ Life

It’s been a somber end of the week for the NYPD, New York City and the New York Rangers after the tragic passing of Steven McDonald. McDonald was an NYPD detective who was shot and paralyzed in the line of duty and went on to become an inspiration for all as he fought every day and lived his life to the fullest.

From the 1987-88 season on the Rangers have awarded the player who goes above and beyond the normal call of duty the prestigious “Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award” as an homage to the type of man McDonald was.

In their first game following his passing on Friday night the Rangers honored his legacy the best way they could. Instead of a somber and sad moment of silence the Madison Square Garden crowd was asked for a moments applause to cheer the life of Steven McDonald, instead of mourning it. Then they had McDonald’s wife and son come out to drop the ceremonial first puck and during the first commercial break there was a touching video dedicated to McDonald with words from players – and award winners – past and present.

It was a tough loss for everyone involved in the Rangers and the NYPD but the fact that McDonald was who he was, and did what he did, made everyone who had any connection to him, a much better human being.