He was only six years old, but Jack Pinto was already a huge New York Giants fan.

And in particular, he loved Victor Cruz, the 26-year-old receiver who celebrates every touchdown with a little salsa dance.

So when Pinto was tragically gunned down during the Sandy Hook massacre on Friday, his idol needed to mark the moment.

When his team took on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Cruz’s boots were inscribed with the words ‘Jack Pinto, My Hero’, ‘R.I.P. Jack Pinto’ and ‘This one is for you’.

His tribute came after describing how humbling it was to find out how much of an impact he had on Pinto’s short life.

In fact, Pinto’s parents are considering burying Jack in a Cruz No. 80 football shirt, as they prepare to bury him next Monday.

Cruz said he plans to give the gloves he wore during the game to the boy’s family, and spend some time with them.

He said: ‘There’s no words that can describe the type of feeling that you get when a kid idolizes you so much that unfortunately they want to put him in the casket with your jersey on.

‘I can’t even explain it.’