Georgia's Apalachee High School is still dealing with tragedy. But the school's football team received a special surprise Friday that many hope will help lift the student athletes' spirits.
The Atlanta Falcons welcomed football players nine days after a shooting left two students and two teachers dead. High school athletes got a chance to see the Falcons up close at the team's training complex.
The Falcons were still preparing for Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Falcons' practice facility is located in Flowery Branch, Georgia, about 20 miles from the Apalachee High School campus.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins warms up while wearing an Apalachee High School jersey following a recent school shooting before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 8, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
“I think it's amazing to have the opportunity to see young people going through tough times,” Falcons assistant coach Jerry Gray said. “I always look and wonder, 'What's happening to them?' They have to go back to the school where it happened.”
APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING: GEORGIA ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH WHO TAUGHT 'OLD SCHOOL CUSTOMS' AMONG THE DEAD
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 while wearing an Apalachee High School jersey following a recent school shooting before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 8, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Nine other people 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 also faces charges for allegedly providing his son with a gun.
During the shooting, some students sought shelter in the high school's football stadium.
“When you get a little relief and a chance to show some love, I think that's special for our guys,” Gray said. “We're NFL players, but we still understand what it means to care about them.”
Prior to their season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Falcons coaches and players wore Apalachee jerseys during pregame warmups. A moment of silence was held before kickoff.
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson said he was heartbroken by the shooting and is keeping the entire community in his prayers.
“I have brothers and sisters, and younger siblings… who want to go to school safely. To have that incident happen and a tragedy like that really broke my heart,” Robinson told WSB-TV.
(From left) Math teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie were killed at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, along with Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, authorities say. (Fox News)
“I even spoke to one of the girls who goes to that school and to see her in such a vulnerable situation, crying and still trying to smile… it was really terrible. I pray for those girls every day. For the girls, for the teaching staff, for everyone who is there.”
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Two-time Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett was born in Georgia and raised in the Atlanta suburbs.
“It meant a lot to me,” the Falcons defensive back said. “I played at Apalachee when I was in high school.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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