The NFL welcomed the three University of Virginia football players killed in a shooting on November 13 as honorary draft picks before the first selection of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Former UVA football player Christopher Jones Jr. is accused of opening fire on a charter bus traveling to Washington, D.C., killing D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis Jr., and Devin Chandler.
Before Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the first picks of the draft, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, a three-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle with the New York Jets who attended Virginia, spoke about each player.
“To make it official, with the first picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, we welcome to the NFL family D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis and Devin Chandler of the University of Virginia,” Ferguson said.
Each player’s families were present on stage to accept their jerseys.
Perry’s family was given a Miami Dolphins jersey since he was raised there. Davis Jr.’s family, originally from Dorchester, South Carolina, was given a Baltimore Ravens jersey. Chandler’s Huntersville, North Carolina, family was given a Jacksonville Jaguars jersey.
