FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons hosted the soccer workforce from Apalachee Excessive Faculty every week after a capturing left two college students and two lecturers useless.
The highschool gamers watched follow Friday from the sideline on the Falcons’ coaching advanced.
“I feel it is unbelievable that you just get an opportunity to see some younger youngsters going by way of some powerful stuff,” mentioned Jerry Grey, the Falcons’ assistant head coach for protection. “I at all times look and say, ‘Man, what are they going by way of?’ They have to return to the varsity the place it occurred.”
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Among the many victims of the Sept. 4 capturing rampage was a instructor who served as an assistant coach for the Apalachee soccer workforce. 9 others had been injured. Funerals for 2 of the victims had been being held Saturday. A 14-year-old pupil has been charged with homicide, and his father additionally faces prices for allegedly furnishing his son with a weapon.
Throughout the capturing, some college students scrambled for shelter in the highschool’s soccer stadium. Apalachee is positioned in Winder, which is about 20 miles from the Falcons’ advanced within the sprawling Atlanta suburbs.
“Once you get a little bit reduction and also you get an opportunity to type of love on them a little bit bit, I feel that is particular for our guys,” Grey mentioned. “We’re NFL guys, however we nonetheless perceive what caring means.”
Earlier than their season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Falcons coaches and gamers wore Apalachee T-shirts throughout pregame warmups. A second of silence was held earlier than kickoff.
“It positively meant so much,” mentioned Falcons defensive finish Grady Jarrett, who grew up in suburban Atlanta. “I performed Apalachee once I was in highschool.”
The Falcons journey to Philadelphia to play the Eagles (1-0) on Monday night time.