Arizona Hotshots honoring safety officers, Granite Mountain Hotshots

PHOENIX (FOX 10) - Several safety officers including 19 fallen firefighters who died in the Yarnell fire were honored in a special ceremony at the Arizona Hotshots game at ASU's Sun Devil Stadium.

It was a sight to see as the families of the Fallen 19 watched the number 19 jersey be retired.

"Seeing the number 19 is nothing compared to looking at my mini-me of my late husband," said Amanda Misner, widow of Sean Misner. "But it is a blessing to see people still honor his brother [and] my husband. But there's harder things to deal with, like seeing your son cry."

Misner was nearly eight months pregnant with her son when her husband, Sean Misner, was fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire. He was one of the 19 firefighters who died on June 30, 2013. Sean Misner was part of an elite firefighting team: The Granite Mountain Hotshots.

The fans in the crowd were wearing Hotshots colors to remember the sacrifice the firefighters made. Standing in honor of the families of the Fallen 19, the families are bonded by the heroes they love.

"We went through something terrible together," Misner said. "So it's a bond that no one else can understand."

The Hotshots also honored the families of public safety officers, like Salt River Police Officer Clayton Townsend, who was hit and killed by a distracted driver while conducting a traffic stop.

"He lived a life that was awesome and he was a role model," said Cole Townsend, brother of late Clayton. "I'm glad people out here can see that."

The game and event were about more than football, and the players, coaches, and fans know that. The gridiron is a platform to pay respects to the men and women who risk their lives every single day.

"All of this is for them," said the brother of late Sean Misner. "Granted, they weren't all just Hotshots. They were husbands, brothers, and sons. But this is for what they did. This is to honor all [of] them."

The Hotshots did sell merchandise with the "19" emblem on them in the team shops. All proceeds go to the 100 Club of Arizona, a nonprofit providing resources to public safety officers, firefighters, and their families statewide.