Killed Virginia football players honored at graduation ceremony - ESPN

Virginia athletic director Carla Williams delivered the keynote commencement address during graduation ceremonies Saturday, on a day when the university and football program also remembered three players killed in an on-campus shooting last November.

The families of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D'Sean Perry had previously been awarded posthumous degrees. But Perry was scheduled to graduate Saturday, and his mother, Happy, asked to attend the ceremony in his place. When Williams told her she would be allowed to do so, Williams asked, «Are you sure you can do it? She paused and said, 'Yes. He would be very proud of me, and I will power through to do it for him.»

Chandler, Davis and Perry were shot and killed on Nov. 13 after returning home from a class trip to Washington, D.C. Running back Mike Hollins, who was shot and wounded, returned to school and football, earned his degree in American studies and African American and African studies in December, and participated in graduation ceremonies on Saturday.

Congratulations to D'Sean Perry and the Class of 2023. On a day of celebration, we would like to honor Lavel, Devin, and D'Sean 1.15.41