The football offices were closed on Nov. 13 when Tony Elliott walked into his house. He put a piece of pizza in the microwave and watched a football game.
He got a call. One of his football players was hysterical and frantic on the other side of the phone. The player was asked to locate him. He got back on the highway and called the police department support services bureau captain, who is part of the football team's security detail.
Members of the football team were involved in a shooting at Culbreth garage. Both of them arrived at the scene.
"I was stopped by the bus and taken to the hospital," he said.
He anticipated the worst when he first talked to his player, who was on the bus. Four of his players were shot after returning home from a class trip to see a play.
The team had an early start on Monday because of the lateness of associate head coach/receivers coach Marques Hagans. After missing time with a concussion, Davis was eager to make his return to the field for that week's Coastal Carolina game.
The same would never be the case. There have been no answers about why the suspected shooter decided to open fire on the bus, killing four people and wounding two others.
Jones has been charged with three counts of second degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The entire Virginia community has had to confront their own feelings of grief, anger, sadness, frustration, and devastation while trying to accept what happened and begin to honor their fallen teammates. If the past week has taught him anything, it is that he is capable of leading his players out of darkness.
The medical staff at the hospital could not give them much information after they were turned away from the scene. They were unable to get past the lobby because the area was still on lock down. The Virginia contingent moved into a private room after about an hour.
The man woke up in the middle of the night. The person was Clint Sintim. Something was terribly wrong with one of his players immediately. Someone is going to be there to get him.
The two drove with other people to the hospital. The track team is helped by Morgan.
"I was hoping that they didn't misidentify everyone on the bus," he said. I told myself that it couldn't be.
The news that the three men had been shot and killed on the bus did not sit well withElliott. He was fighting for his life after he ran onto the bus to help his teammates. Morgan's chances for recovery were positive.
"I understand that part of the process of dealing with extreme adversity is allowing yourself to be broken because at your weakest moments is when the higher power steps in and provides you the strength to move forward." They helped me regain my strength by comforting me and encouraging me.
The man began to cry. My wife talked to Lavel from 9 to 9:30. He had a good time. He had a good time. He was laying on the bus when he was shot.
Davis had become very close to the Hagans family when he arrived on campus. He was a big brother to the boys, Christopher and Jackson, and he was also a son to the family. Davis would babysit while he went to their basketball and baseball games.
He had to tell his children what happened. He asked his wife to go to the hospital with the boys because school was not in session. They were told the truth by him.
Hagans said that they lost it. They were upset. They were making loud noises. It wasn't easy to watch them as their life changed. She was beside herself and I was beside myself. She didn't have enough time to breathe. It broke me down watching those boys cry.
Others were waiting in the room where they entered. The man came over to hug the person. The quarterback's coach tried to console Lauren.
The room was filled with people crying. The impact that it had on the boys made everyone else more emotional. They couldn't get past Lavel so I had to wait and tell them about D' Sean. It was difficult. It's really difficult.
He had to tell his team something. By 10:45 a.m., they had gathered in their meeting. Most people knew what happened on Monday. It was important for the team to hear from him before the news conference.
The players were already crying when he walked in.
It was a really, really tough moment because it was the first time they dealt with adversity and only three of their teammates were able to explain what happened. It was a very sad time.
I was teary eyed. I was trying to keep it together. This is our time to grieve. We are going to grieve. One of the first things they were told was not to ask why. We wouldn't get it because it's not the answer we want to hear. Let's not pay much attention to why. Let's remember the three young men who died and celebrate their lives.
He has lived his life through tragedy. When he was 9 years old, his mother died in a car accident. As he grew older, he found his calling as a coach, in which he could help make a difference every single day.
He believes the steps in his life are ordered by the Almighty. He explained in an interview in the spring that he wanted to take the next step in his career in Virginia.
He talked about his faith and whether or not this tragedy is the reason he believes Virginia is where he needs to be. "You were born for such a time as this, Esther 4:14," he said.
The task is enormous and the weight is heavy but I'm supposed to be where I'm supposed to be. All it takes is love, faith, hope, togetherness, unity, perseverance, joy, connection, heart, all of those things.
Even if they had an answer, they wouldn't accept it. Accepting what happened has been hard for everyone. Even though he has dedicated his life to the university, and has prided himself on the way he leads his players, Hagans always emphasizes family over everything else.
The school's all-time passing leader is a former quarterback. He started as a graduate assistant at Virginia and has been there ever since. Nobody on the staff is more closely associated with the school than Hagans, who has worked for three head coaches in the past. "My job, honestly, is just to help CoachElliott be the best coach in UVA history," he said.
He spoke with the sports network because he cared so much for the players. He paused multiple times during his interview and looked down to collect himself as he spoke about how Davis will never get to see his sons play sports. He was distraught and disbelieving that this could happen.
The people sitting in the room were crying with him.
At some point, I will have to accept it. I'm not sure why those boys had to endure that. The power of the story is that a mother lost her son and put on display for the world to see. She could try to improve the world. Three mothers lost their sons and now the world will see them and hopefully they will make the world a better place.
The part that gutted him the most was when his son told him he was going to make it.
The game against Coastal Carolina was canceled. Representatives from across the university attended the first formal planning meeting.
There was a plan for Saturday that was still under wraps. Even though the seniors wouldn't get to play in their final home game, he wanted to honor them. They were going to have a private senior day celebration at the football facility.
Thirty four fourth, fifth, and sixth-year seniors were honored by Virginia. Each player was formally announced over the loudspeaker. The entire team wore their uniforms. The people who weren't seniors formed a tunnel for their teammates to walk through as they approached the family.
The running back who was injured in the shooting was going to be honored. His mom came and wore his jersey. It was described as uplifting. There was a team breakfast afterwards.
Ahead was the most difficult part of the day
The Virginia Gentlemen performed "On the Turning Away" and "Lonesome Road" before the memorial began, as well as the safety who sings with them. The football players dressed in suits and ties were followed by the families and friends of the players.
Former teammates, Virginia football players and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin were among those who attended the funeral. CeCe Winans decided to come to the memorial after she heard about the tragedy and sang a beautiful rendition of "Goodness of God."
The most difficult moments were when players talked about their feelings for their teammates.
"I was angry and had a lot of bad thoughts about revenge from what happened to you," said the defensive tackle. I changed my mind because I knew you were in a better place. I want you to leave some space for me and your brothers so that I can be with you.
The legacies of the three players will be discussed by the head coach and receiver coach.
A running back wrote a letter to someone else.
I can't tell you how sad we are as we mourn your death. We didn't think we'd have to say goodbye so quickly. It was supposed to be different. You will stay in our hearts for the rest of our lives.
One kicker told a funny story about Davis.
When you told me on the sideline that my son needed to be a kicker, it came to my mind. Don't do anything in practice.
Many of the players spoke with direct messages to the families during the service.
Bettridge spoke to the parents ofPerry, who he chose to attend Virginia because of.
It was your strength and courage that gave me the comfort and peace I was looking for, no matter what.
This was the last thing he did.
It would be to fight if I had to go. Don't let the task at hand stop you from fighting for everything you do. Fight for what you want while also fighting for the people you love the most. D'Sean was always pushing himself to be the best person on and off the field. I will do everything I can to help you, D.
As the memorial drew to a close, he spoke to the crowd. He relied heavily on his faith in his remarks, pointing out several Bible passages in which he has found purpose and meaning.
He mentioned the text on the passage. There is a kind of beauty to the sun. The stars and the moon are different in appearance. The resurrection of the dead is talked about in verse 42. It was fitting that we found peace in those numbers.
He promised to lead in the hours, days, weeks and years to come, even though he lost many players.
"Weeping will last for the night, but joy will come in the morning," he said. We have a responsibility to rebuild this community and program on the legacy of their stars in order to bring light into the world. I am looking forward to the strength, motivation, courage and love that you all will provide as we triumph in the days to come.
The people in attendance were asked to turn on their wristbands as he sat back down. The light from the bands shone bright as the arena went dark.
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