Virginia Football Holds Touching Pregame Tribute for Three Players Killed in Shooting

Saturday marked the Cavaliers’ first home game since the terrible shooting took place on Nov. 13.

The University of Virginia held a pregame ceremony to honor the three football players—Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry— who were shot and killed after returning to campus following a school field trip in November.

The program showcased a video tribute and revealed two memorials inside Scott Stadium for the three players ahead of the Cavaliers’ first home game since the shooting took place on Nov. 13. Virginia elected to cancel its final two games of the 2022 season following the tragedy.

Family members of the deceased players, along with the entire Cavaliers football team, were present on the sideline as the university honored the players’ legacies in the video. After the video presentation, the program unveiled plaques for Chandler, Davis and Perry at Virginia’s Legends’ Walk inside the stadium and placed their uniform numbers—Nos. 1, 15 and 41—at the south end of the field. The players’ names also were painted in the back of both end zones.

Today, @UVAFootball honors Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis & D'Sean Perry🙏

1.15.41 🕊️#UVAStrong | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/vf4TSgjJM3

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) September 9, 2023

Running back Mike Hollins, one of two other players who were injured in the November shooting but survived, participated in the celebration of his teammates. He led the Cavaliers onto the field before the game, hoisting the “Virginia Strong” flag. 

Hollins also represented UVA during the coin toss, standing with his parents alongside the parents of Davis and Perry and Chandler’s uncles. In what was surely an emotional day for Hollins, the running back punched in a 4-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, giving UVA its second score of the game.

Things you need to see today, a Mike Hollins TD

📺: ESPNU | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/EoeX8ym2rt

— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) September 9, 2023

Saturday’s tribute comes after a special grand jury in Charlottesville, Va., released new aggravated murder indictments on Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. in the killing of the three players on Wednesday, according to ESPN. Jones, the former UVA student who has been charged in the shootings, could serve a life sentence if he is convicted.