Falcons host the football team from Apalachee High School, where a shooter killed four

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons hosted the soccer staff from Apalachee Excessive Faculty per week after a capturing left two college students and two lecturers useless.

The highschool gamers watched apply Friday from the sideline on the Falcons’ coaching complicated in Flowery Department.

“I feel it’s unimaginable that you just get an opportunity to see some younger children going by means of some powerful stuff,” stated Jerry Grey, the Falcons’ assistant head coach for protection. “I all the time look and say, ‘Man, what are they going by means of?’ They’ve received to return to the college the place it occurred.”

Among the many victims of the Sept. 4 capturing rampage was a trainer who served as an assistant coach for the Apalachee soccer staff. 9 others had been injured. Funerals for 2 of the victims had been being held Saturday. A 14-year-old pupil has been charged with homicide and his father additionally faces prices for allegedly furnishing his son with a weapon.

Throughout the capturing, some college students scrambled for shelter in the highschool’s soccer stadium. Apalachee is situated in Winder, which is about 20 miles from the Falcons’ complicated within the sprawling Atlanta suburbs.

“Whenever you get just a little reduction and also you get an opportunity to type of love on them just a little bit, I feel that’s particular for our guys,” Grey stated. “We’re NFL guys, however we nonetheless perceive what caring means.”

Earlier than their season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Falcons coaches and gamers wore Apalachee T-shirts throughout pregame warmups. A second of silence was held earlier than the kickoff.

“It undoubtedly meant loads,” stated Falcons defensive finish Grady Jarrett, who grew up in suburban Atlanta. “I performed Apalachee after I was in highschool.”

The Falcons journey to Philadelphia to play the Eagles (1-0) on Monday evening.

___

AP NFL: