The Nashville Predators paid tribute to the victims of the tragic shooting at a Tennessee school in a game against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who skipped the team flight to Boston to be with his daughters in the shaken community, recorded an assist for the Predators in the 2-1 win over the Bruins.
McDonagh’s daughters attend a school close to where the shooting occurred and were in lockdown during the incident. The Predators and Bruins wore helmet stickers to show support for The Covenant School, where three 9-year-old students and three adult staffers were killed. The Bruins also held a moment of silence before the national anthem.
McDonagh spoke about the impact of the tragedy and how it hit close to home as a parent. He acknowledged that there were no words to describe what had happened and expressed the team’s desire to bring inspiration to the city of Nashville through their efforts on the ice.
Coach John Hynes spoke to the team about the situation, emphasizing the platform they have as professional athletes to support and uplift their community. Hynes also talked to the team about the relief that sports can bring to people during tough times.
The tribute by the Predators and Bruins was a powerful reminder of the impact that sports can have beyond just the game. It highlighted the importance of using their platform to support their community during difficult times.
The players and coaches recognized the role they could play in bringing a few hours of relief to people in their hometown who are dealing with tragedy. The gesture by the teams and the emotional response from McDonagh demonstrated the importance of empathy and compassion in sports and how they can bring people together in support of a common cause.
