By Joe Johnson
Ahead of this afternoon’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, players for the Atlanta Falcons were seen on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium wearing Apalachee Wildcats shirts in tribute to the victims of Wednesday’s mass shooting at the high school in Barrow County.
The team also announced that a moment of silence would be observed prior to kickoff.
The following was posted this morning on atlantafalcons.com
After four lives were lost in a school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, the Atlanta Falcons held a moment of silence for the victims and those affected prior to their Week 1 home opener vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The team also wore Apalachee High School t-shirts during pregame warm-ups.
Apalachee High School is a little more than 20 miles from the Falcons' training facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia.
Prior to his media availability Wednesday, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said head coach Raheem Morris broke the news about the shooting to the team as they were going out for a walk-through.
"It was very sobering," Cousins said of the moment. "We're praying for the families affected. The school, the community. It's a tough deal. Going to go home tonight and hug and kiss my kids."
Special teams coordinator Marquice Williams also opened his Thursday morning press conference by addressing the shooting.
"That's a horrible incident. That stuff can't happen," Williams said. "My thoughts and prayers are with those impacted."
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