NFL pays tribute to three University of Virginia players killed in November shooting by making them honorary picks in 2023 Draft
- D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis and Devin Chandler were killed on November 13
- Commissioner Roger Goodell solemnly announced the three fallen players
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The NFL paid tribute to the three University of Virginia football players killed in a shooting on November 13 by making them honorary picks in the 2023 draft.
Prior to the first selection in the NFL Draft, which saw Bryce Young selected as the No. 1 pick, Commissioner Roger Goodell solemnly called Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry on.
The three former University of Virginia football players were gunned down late at night on November 13 as they returned to campus after traveling to Washington DC where they saw a play and had dinner together.
Goodell presented Davis’s family with a Ravens jersey, Perry’s with a Dolphins jersey, and Chandler with a Jaguars jersey, posing for photographs with each.
“With the first picks in the 2023 NFL draft, we welcome the NFL family, D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis and Devin Chandler of the University of Virginia,” Goodell announced before giving each victim’s family members a number 23- sweater handed over. .
From left, Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry. The three Virginia football players were killed in a shooting in Charlottesville while returning from a school trip
The NFL honored the players by making them honorary picks in the 2023 draft
The trio were on a bus returning from a class trip when Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., a member of the 2018 Virginia Cavaliers football team, opened fire as the group arrived back on campus.
Jones Jr., a former UVA football player, has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder, among other charges.
Two other students running back Mike Hollins and Marlee Morgan were also shot in the incident but survived their injuries.
Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. has been charged with three counts of manslaughter
Violence erupted near a parking garage just after 10:15 p.m. on November 13 as a busload of students returned to Charlottesville
Hollis returned to training last month when he was seen as a full competitor in spring training after being released from the hospital in November after being on a ventilator.
Spring training marks the Cavaliers’ first time participating in football activities since the shooting — after the school canceled their final two games of the season and failed to make it a bowl game.
Head coach Tony Elliott praised Hollins for his dedication to the team and his resilience in times of tragedy.
“Just to see how he attacked everything, could have easily made excuses, easily thought things through, but he takes it upon himself to respond and show perseverance and be resilient,” said Elliott.