‘That’s our brother’: Westfield State University football team support teammate after house fire

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - A fire destroyed an Enfield home a week ago and left a family of eight in need of help. We’ve learned the oldest son is a Westfield State University football player. Now, his teammates and coaches are rallying behind him in support.

Western Mass News spoke with one of the team captains who told us they are collecting money to help 21-year-old Jordan Torres and his family, but they are also making sure he knows just how much he means to the team.

“That’s our brother,” said Alec Rodriguez. “And our brother needed us, and we’re here for him.”

That’s Alec Rodriguez, one of the five captains of the Westfield State University football team, spoke to us about one of his teammates, Jordan Torres.

Torres, his five siblings, and parents are the victims of a fire that engulfed their home just a week ago in Enfield, Connecticut, destroying everything inside.

Since then, the Enfield Fire Department has hosted a fundraiser to help the family, collecting clothes, furniture, and other essentials.

Now Jordan’s teammates at Westfield State are doing what they can to help as well.

“We tried putting our own money,” added Rodriguez. “Donate, even donate some food, you know, some clothes, whatever he needs. We’re just here to support him.”

The team has set up a GoFundMe page to help Jordan and his family with a goal of $20,000. Almost $12,000 has already been raised.

An effort that teammate Tommy Bean said is a no brainer.

“He’s always had this leadership characteristic to him, where you can see it in just the way he carries himself,” expressed Bean. “So, the team is helping him, but I think that the fact that he is still supporting us by showing up shows us how much he cares about this time and that he wants to be a part of it. He really is just part of the family.”

Rodriguez told us the team is acting on the values instilled by their coaches before the start of every game, and every time they hit the field.

“You know, coach always tell us ‘stay together, we’re a family.’ And everybody just has to stick together, no matter what,” said Rodriguez.

If you want to help Jordan and his family, the GoFundMe link, CLICK HERE.

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