Players from the UNLV football team will sport a red Las Vegas ribbon helmet decal throughout the remainder of the 2017 season to honor the victims of the mass shooting that left 59 people dead and more than 500 injured.
The team unveiled a special helmet for its game against San Diego State on Saturday. The visiting Aztecs also sported a red ribbon helmet decal.
Here is the special helmet @unlvfootball will wear Saturday in tribute to the victims and in honor of the heroes from Sunday. #VegasStrong pic.twitter.com/ojJ49mhSFl
— UNLV Athletics (@UNLVathletics) October 4, 2017
During a pregame ceremony, white balloons representing the victims were released during a moment of silence. First responders and ordinary citizens were also recognized.
A beautiful pregame ceremony by @UNLVFootball. We are #VegasStrong. pic.twitter.com/9HxxI1hLfF
— SDSU Football (@Aztec_Football) October 8, 2017
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and the families impacted by this senseless act of violence,” UNLV athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois said in a statement. “While football is just a game, it can also serve as a rallying point of unity and allow all of us to recognize the incredible heroism displayed by so many this week. We are all extremely proud of our community’s response over the last couple of days.”
The red ribbon decal will be a part of UNLV’s sports programs throughout the year. The University of Nevada also announced plans to wear tribute decals, according to USA Today.
