He Didn’t Post a Thing — But What Jaylon Johnson Did for Minneapolis’ Grieving Families Says Everything

Minneapolis, MN – August 28, 2025

Morning prayers turned into tragedy on August 27 when gunfire shattered the peace at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Students were gathered for one of their first masses of the new school year when a shooter opened fire through the windows.

Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed instantly, while 17 others — 14 of them also children — were injured. Hospitals in the city scrambled to provide care, with doctors at Hennepin Healthcare confirming several victims remained in critical condition overnight.

Police identified the shooter as 20-year-old Robin Westman, who entered the church grounds with a rifle, pistol, and revolver. He took his own life at the scene. Authorities described the attack as deliberate, cowardly, and aimed squarely at innocence.

Mayor Jacob Frey called the tragedy “an assault on children and faith itself.” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned it as “one of the darkest mornings our state has ever faced.” Across the country, grief echoed. And in Chicago, one Bear quietly took action.

Jaylon Johnson, the star cornerback for the Chicago Bears, didn’t issue a statement, post a photo, or use a hashtag. Instead, he quietly moved to support families broken by the unthinkable.

Through official parish and school funds, Johnson covered funeral expenses for the two young victims. He also pledged financial support for medical care and counseling services for survivors still fighting to recover.

At the makeshift memorial outside the church, mourners noticed a simple arrangement of flowers without a name card. Later, staff confirmed they were sent by Johnson, along with a small handwritten note: “With prayers, love, and strength — JJ33.”

Johnson went further, arranging funding for long-term mental health counseling for children and parents directly affected by the tragedy. He reached out privately to hospital staff at Hennepin Healthcare, asking only how he could help — not how he would be seen.

Community leaders revealed that Johnson is also in talks with local organizations about improving school safety measures and supporting anti-violence programs. His work is not about spotlight, but about ensuring this kind of heartbreak doesn’t strike again.

One priest who met him said, “He asked for no attention. He only asked how he could serve.” In that humility, families saw something stronger than headlines: compassion in its purest form.

For Bears fans, Jaylon Johnson’s actions show that leadership extends far beyond the gridiron. Tackles and interceptions may define Sundays, but in moments of crisis, what defines him is humanity.