UVA honors slain players with pregame event

Andrea Adelson, ESPN

• Senior Citizen WriterSep 9, 2023, 12:53 PM ET Close ACC press reporter.
• Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
• Graduate of the University of Florida.CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.– Virginia honored Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., D’Sean Perry and their families with a pregame video tribute and irreversible memorial inside Scott Stadium on Saturday before kickoff versus James Madison.Chandler, Davis and Perry were shot and eliminated on a charter bus in November

after returning to school from a school outing. 2 others, consisting of running back Mike Hollins, were shot however survived. Saturday marked Virginia’s first house game considering that the catastrophe, after the last two games of the 2022 season were canceled.The video, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, commemorated all three players and the legacies they leave. Members of all three households stood on the sideline and watched the video board, while the entire Virginia football group stood in the end zone and watched.Four parachuters then entered into the stadium, every one carrying a flag representing the players’ numbers– 1, 15 and

41– in addition to a”Virginia Strong “flag. Representatives from all 3 households were acknowledged, consisting of Davis’ and Perry’s parents and Chandler’s uncles. Athletic director Carla Williams stood at midfield with the families.Editor’s Picks Virginia unveiled 2 irreversible memorials: plaques for each player on the Legends’ Stroll in the north end of Scott Arena and the Nos. 1, 15 and 41 inside diamonds on the south end.Hollins, as he did

last week, led the team onto the field– this time bring a “Virginia Strong” flag. The entire group knelt in the end zone painted with the expression “Virginia Strong” and the Nos. 1, 15 and 41. Hollins represented his team for the coin toss, in addition to Davis and Perry’s moms and dads, Chandler’s uncles and Hollins’ parents.Hollins had the play of

the first half, rushing in for a 4-yard score with 1:02 to go for his first goal of the season. It was a particularly poignant minute for both the group and Hollins, who remained in vital condition after he was shot and not sure whether he would play football again.But Hollins returned faster than physicians expected and chosen to play this season in honor of Davis, Perry and Chandler. After ball game, his colleagues swarmed to welcome him. When he ran back to the sideline, Hollins was greeted with a huge hug from his little sibling, Deuce.The tributes started Friday afternoon, when an

oak tree was planted on the Betsy and John Casteen Arts Grounds with the whole football team and members of the three households in attendance.”We plant this tree, firstly, to keep in mind,”university president James E. Ryan said.” This oak, for as long as it stands, will assist us all keep in mind Devin, Lavel and D’Sean and who they were as individuals.”During the pregame walk into the stadium Saturday early morning

, the Davis, Chandler, Perry and Hollins families led the team as orange-clad fans cheered. One fan had a homemade”UVA Strong”indication with their names and numbers.About an hour prior to kickoff, members of all 3 households entered into the end zone painted “Virginia Strong.”One member of the Chandler family kneeled on the No. 15. A member of the Perry household did pushups on the No. 41, as others cleaned away tears.Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., a former Virginia student, has been charged in the shootings.

On Wednesday, a special grand jury in Charlottesville provided new exacerbated murder indictments against Jones. If convicted, he would serve an obligatory life sentence.