The Firebirds honored the families of American Heroes prior to yesterday's game at the MVP Arena.

The Albany Firebirds paid tribute to fallen American Heroes Casey Frankoski and John Grassia and also the family of Jacob Pratt, who remains hospitalized as he recovers from his injuries. Frankoski and Grassia were killed in a helicopter crash and Pratt was injured in the same crash, earlier this year. 

The families were brought on the field for the coin toss before the game and were also brought back on the field a little later to be honored. 

If was a very emotional day at The MVP Arena but one that Co-owner Mike Kwarta says was bigger than arena football - 

“We’ve said that from day one when we brought football back it’s all about community. It’s an unfortunate thing that happened and again anything we can do, any little piece we can give back to make a better day for them, we try to do it we can,”