After a young woman, Rachel Apa, died after collapsing during the New York City Marathon, New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh paid tribute to her during a press conference.
He opened his press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, by addressing Apa's death. Harbaugh praised her for the life she lived and said “she'll be really dearly missed.”
“First of all, I just want to express our thoughts and prayers to the family of Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old young lady athlete that passed away in the New York City Marathon this past weekend,” Harbaugh began. “I cannot imagine the pain that they're going through and yet also the pride they feel for a life well lived.
“When you read about her life, it's just incredible to read the type of person she was, and she'll be really dearly missed. She's in God's hands now, and we just want to let the family know that the New York Giants are thinking about their daughter and their family,” he added.
Apa was a Division I field hockey player at Bucknell University. She passed away after collapsing around mile 24 of the New York City Marathon. This was her first marathon.
Harbaugh is in the middle of his first season as the Giants' head coach. He had spent the last 18 years with the Baltimore Ravens, winning a Super Bowl with them, from 2008 to 2025.
The Giants are coming off their bye week and will play the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9. They are catching the Birds at a good time, as the team has lost six games in a row.
Currently, the Giants are in first place in the NFC East with a record of 4-2-1. They beat the Houston Texans in overtime in their last game.
J.J. McCarthy is leading the Giants as the starting quarterback. He took over for Jameis Winston in Week 7 against the Texans. Jaxson Dart, the team's starter, suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams.