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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Caroline Darney

UVA shooting survivor Mike Hollins gets first carry of spring football game

Mike Hollins UVA Football Virginia (Organization)

In November 2022, the University of Virginia community was stunned by a mass shooting that killed three students and injured two more. Lavel Davis Jr., D’Sean Perry and Devin Chandler — all members of the football team — tragically lost their lives after a fellow student opened fire on a bus as they returned from a field trip.

One of the injured victims, Mike Hollins, is also a member of the football team. He survived a bullet to the stomach, and worked hard to recover and rejoin his teammates on the gridiron.

Fans were delighted to see not only was Hollins dressed on the sidelines of Virginia’s spring game Saturday, but he got the first touch of the game.

Hollins opened the scrimmage with a 7-yard rush up the middle, leading to a standing ovation from those in attendance.

Prior to the game, Virginia held a moment of silence for their lost teammates. Several teammates paid their respects in the end zone painted with the “UVA STRONG” mantra the Charlottesville community adopted in the wake of the shooting.

Although Hollins didn’t score the first points of the game, it feels fitting that the first touchdown was in the end zone dedicated to the lives of those lost.

In all, Virginia’s spring game was one that brought fans and players some joy following months of immense pain.

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