Cavaliers Now

Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler, and D'Sean Perry Honored at 2023 NFL Draft

The NFL brought the families of the victims on stage before announcing that each player has been selected as an honorary NFL Draft pick

Matt Newton

Virginia Athletics
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With all eyes on the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday night in Kansas City, the NFL delivered a touching tribute to honor the memories of Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler, and D'Sean Perry. 

Just a few minutes before the first round of the NFL Draft was set to begin, UVA alum and NFL Network reporter Melissa Stark drew the attention of the thousands in attendance and the millions watching at home to the tragic shooting that claimed the lives of Davis, Chandler, and Perry back on November 13th. 

"This year, the draft holds deeper significance for the University of Virginia football community because of three young men who are no longer with us," Stark said. "These men were more than talented athletes. They were valued members of their community, known for their kindness, leadership, and determination." 

Stark then passed the podium to former NFL and UVA All-American offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who took time to speak about each of the young men. 

Then, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell invited the families of each of the victims on stage before announcing that Perry, Davis, and Chandler were being selected as the honorary first picks of the 2023 NFL Draft, allowing the families to experience the realization of each young man's lifelong dream of hearing his name called at the NFL Draft. 

"With the first picks of the 2023 NFL Draft, we welcome to the NFL family D'Sean Perry, Lavel Davis Jr., and Devin Chandler of the University of Virginia," Goodell said, before presenting each family with an NFL jersey with each player's name on it. 

The family of Lavel Davis Jr. was given a Baltimore Ravens jersey, D'Sean Perry's family was given a Miami Dolphins jersey, and the family of Devin Chandler, who always dreamed of playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was given a Jaguars jersey. 

Thank you to Melissa Stark, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Roger Goodell, and everyone at the National Football League who helped make this beautiful and touching tribute possible. UVA Strong. 

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Matt Newton
MATT NEWTON

Matt launched Virginia Cavaliers On SI in August of 2021 and has since served as the site's publisher and managing editor, covering all 23 NCAA Division I sports teams at the University of Virginia. He is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and graduated from UVA in May of 2021.

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