Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray will wear No. 25 this coming NFL season to honor his childhood friend Jonathan Diaz, who was fatally shot on Thanksgiving morning last year in downtown Syracuse.

Murray, who grew up in the Syracuse area, and Diaz were friends starting in kindergarten, said Evelyn Diaz of Onondaga, Jonathan Diaz's mother.

They grew up together and eventually both played football for Onondaga Junior/Senor High School, graduating together in 2008. The two had stayed close after high school and college, according to his family.

No. 25 was Jonathan Diaz's favorite number to wear, his mother said.

Murray told the Diaz family of his intention to pick the number, and posted a photo of himself wearing the jersey on his Instagram account.

"We are honored,'' Evelyn Diaz said. "The two of them were best friends starting in kindergarten, and Latavius is like a son to me as well."

Diaz, 26, who played football for SUNY Brockport, was killed during a dispute in Armory Square in November 2016.

Sangsouriyanh Maniphonh, an Army veteran, ran into Diaz in an Armory Square bar and got into a dispute over Maniphonh's wife. Maniphonh is accused of pulling out a handgun and shooting Diaz to death.

Maniphonh has been charged with second-degree murder. His trial is tentatively scheduled for June.

Diaz and his two older brothers were all close friends with Murray, who played for the University of Central Florida and went on to play in the NFL.

The Vikings announced in March they signed Murray, a former Raiders running back, to a three-year deal worth about $15 million.

Murray, when announcing his intent to join the team, said he chose the No. 25 to remember his best friend, Diaz, according to the Minnesota Vikings website. Murray could not be reached for comment.

Evelyn and Felipe Diaz, Jonathan's parents, said the No. 25 was always their son's special number, but they don't know why their son liked that particular number.

The months since Jonathan's death have been extremely hard, Evelyn Diaz said, adding she isn't the same person she used to be.

"I used to be jovial," she said. "They say the first year is the hardest. Hope for Bereaved and my church help me a lot. But I think about my son every minute of the day."

After college, Diaz worked for the Central New York Developmental Services Office, working with developmentally disabled adults in a large group home in East Syracuse.

Diaz then switched career directions, working as a substitute teacher for the Syracuse City School District in September, landing a long-term substitute position at Van Duyn Elementary School.



Felipe Diaz, Jonathan's father, said Murray and his son had a special bond of brotherhood.

"I'm grateful Latavius is keeping my son's memory alive this way,' he said.