Picture from WSLS
On November 13, 2022, a mass shooting occurred at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, leading to three football players’ deaths. Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. was on the bus returning from a trip to Washington, DC, where the class had seen a play, UVA spokesperson Brian Coy said. In addition, Police are still trying to piece together what could have led to the deaths of three UVA football players.
Along with the three players who passed, two other people were injured, one of whom was identified as Michael Hollins, a junior running back for the Cavaliers. Elliott said he was hard on Hollins because he saw his potential. The coach added that Hollins had a workman mentality in engaging the discipline and structure of the team, which led to improvements in his play. With that being said, “Chris was a good dude at heart. I told him, ‘You don’t have to do it,’ ” said Hill, who had played high school football with Jones in Petersburg, Va.
Despite the tragedy, Elliott commended the strength of his team and staff for coming together and being able to process the shooting. Elliott said the team has inspired him to keep pushing forward. At the same time, he said staff has made it their mission to ensure the team had all the resources they needed and that no one went into isolation. “He always found a way to keep them (the team) entertained, but he also set that standard of what it’s supposed to look like to work.” This shows the kind of picture and role model he was.
KTLA News stated “Davis, a wide receiver, was a third-year student from Ridgeville, South Carolina, who majored in African American and African studies. He was set to graduate this month and was a beloved first child and a “role model” to his younger brother and sister, Davis’ father, Thaddeus Lavel Davis, has said.”
“He had a lasting impact on his teammates, even after he left UW, which is a testament to the type of person he was,” interim Badgers coach Jim Leonhard said. Perry, a linebacker, was a fourth-year student from Miami. He double majored in studio art and African American and African studies. His parents, Sean and Happy Perry said, “Football and art was his passion, but the love that he had for his family, friends, and his community was proven time and time again through his candid dedication.” Williams said in a statement Monday, “It was a great honor to be a part of presenting these diplomas to the families of Devin, Lavel and D’Sean.”
Later, the College of Arts & Sciences departments and the provost’s office approved the athletes’ posthumous degrees. The degrees were printed and shared with family members as school officials attended each student’s hometown funeral.
Written by News Editor, Emely Curiel