As Apalachee High School in Georgia continues to grapple with a tragedy, the school's football team received a special surprise on Friday that many hope will help boost morale among the student-athletes.
The Atlanta Falcons welcomed their football players back nine days after a shooting that left two students and two teachers dead, giving the high school athletes a chance to get an up-close look at the Falcons at the team's training facility.
The Falcons continued their preparations for Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Falcons' practice facility is in Flowery Branch, Georgia, about 20 miles from the Apalachee High School campus.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins warms up wearing an Apalachee High School T-shirt following the recent school shooting at the school before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 8, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
“I think it's awesome that we get a chance to see these young kids go through something so tough,” Falcons assistant head coach Jerry Gray said. “I always look at them and think, 'What are they going through?' They have to go back to the school where it happened.”
Apalachee High School shooting: Georgia assistant football coach teaches dead boys the 'old ways'
Among the victims of the Sept. 4 shooting was a teacher who served as an assistant coach for Apalachee's football team.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris (center) stands with his team wearing Apalachee High School T-shirts in honor of the school's mass shooting before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 8, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Nine others were injured. Funerals for two of the victims were held on Saturday. A 14-year-old student has been charged with murder, and his father has also been charged with providing his son with a weapon.
Some students took refuge in the high school's football stadium during the shooting.
“I think it's special for our guys to have a little bit of relief and a chance to show them a little bit of love,” Gray said. “Even though we're NFL players, we still understand what compassion means.”
Before their season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Falcons coaches and players wore Apalachee T-shirts during pregame warmups. A moment of silence was held before kickoff.
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson said his heart is broken by the shooting and he's praying for the entire community.
“I have brothers and sisters, I have younger brothers and sisters … they just want to be safe going to school, and it really breaks my heart that this happened, that this tragedy happened,” Robinson told WSB-TV.
(LR) Authorities say math teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimy were killed along with Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. (Fox News)
“I spoke to one of the kids that goes to that school and just seeing her in such a vulnerable state and just crying and trying to keep a smile on her face…it was really hard. I pray for those kids every day. For the kids, the staff, everyone there.”
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Two-time Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett was born in Georgia and grew up outside of Atlanta.
“It really meant a lot,” the Falcons defensive lineman said, “I played for Apalachee in high school.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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