CHARACTER COUNTS

South Carolina and Virginia Tech honor shooting victims with helmet decals

Aug 31, 2015, 1:29 PM

Helmets to be worn by Virginia Tech against Ohio State to honor shooting victims. (Twitter Photos)

(Twitter Photos)

The football teams at South Carolina and Virginia Tech will sport new helmet decals this season to honor shooting victims.

South Carolina will honor the victims of the Emanuel AME Church shooting that took place in Charleston in June with a garnet decal that depicts a Palmetto tree and nine doves to represent each of the victims.

https://twitter.com/GamecockFB/status/638042264023920640/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

“The tragedy that happened in Charleston doesn’t just affect people in Charleston; it affects the entire state,” said South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner. “We feel very much a part of that at the university. Coach Steve Spurrier and University President Harris Pastides felt very strongly that the `Emanuel 9′ should be recognized.”

The team will wear the helmet stickers all season.

Virginia Tech will honor two WDBJ-7 journalists who were killed in a tragic shooting on Wednesday with a sticker that shows the number 7 along with teal and maroon ribbons and the initials of the two victims.

The team will wear the stickers for the season opener against Ohio State.

https://twitter.com/VT_Football/status/638094911355490304/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

“It’s extremely important that the families and loved ones of Allison Parker, Adam Ward, and WDBJ-TV, know that we stand united with them through this painful time,” Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer told WDBJ-TV. “My heart is absolutely broken for the Parker and Ward families, and my prayer is that they gain strength and peace through the support and love of this community.”

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South Carolina and Virginia Tech honor shooting victims with helmet decals