Virginia Football pays emotional tribute to three players killed in last year’s school shooting — with a pregame ceremony planned ahead of the team’s emotional return to home stadium
The University of Virginia football team will honor Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., D’Sean Perry and their families with a special pregame ceremony before the UVA Strong football game against James Madison.
Chandler, Davis Jr. and Perry were the three players killed in a shooting last November as their bus was returning to campus from a field trip.
Two other students, including running back Mike Hollins, were also shot in the tragic incident but were able to survive their injuries.
Hollins returned to the field this weekend in the loss to Tennessee as he ran the ball over -7 yards three times. Before the game started, he led the Cavaliers out of the tunnel.
When he had previously returned to practice for the first time, Hollins had described his recovery from the shooting as a “miracle.”
The University of Virginia honors the three players killed in a school shooting last year
Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry were killed returning from a field trip
Shooting survivor and running back Mike Hollins led the Cavaliers out of the tunnel in Week 1
The UVA Strong game will be the Cavaliers’ first home game since the day before the players were killed in the school shooting.
According to the school’s announcement, the first 35,000 fans in attendance will receive orange UVA Strong T-shirts. The fans in attendance were also encouraged to wear orange whether or not they received the free shirts.
The north end zone of the field will feature the UVA Strong logo, while Chandler, Davis and Perry’s names will be painted on the boundary of the field.
In addition to the pregame ceremonies, there will be a memorial tree planting and plaque dedication on Friday at the campus Arts Grounds in honor of the three players.
The school will also hold a pep rally on Friday, with the entire team in attendance.