At the invitation of Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, the Marysville-Pilchuck football team was expected to practice at the Seahawks’ practice facility on Tuesday, according to The Seattle Times.
Pilchuck, a school located outside Seattle, was the location of a fatal school shooting on Friday. The gunman, identified by police as Jaylen Fryberg, was a member of the football team. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the incident.
Pilchuck was scheduled to play Oak Harbor in the Wesco 3A North division title game, but Oak Harbor decided to voluntarily forfeit and give the title to Marysville Pilchuck.
The Seahawks also extended a practice invitation to Oak Harbor, although the date is still being arranged.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Marysville-Pilchuck High School and all affected by this tragedy
— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) October 24, 2014
“Our hearts just opened immediately to try to help in any way that we can,’’ Carroll told news reporters. “When they are faced with an opportunity about a playoff situation and the other school decides to forfeit the game, what an extraordinary gesture. And I think it’s a gesture in every direction and an understanding and compassion that it’s good to be recognized. And we hope that we can do whatever we can in our support, our fans’ support.
“You feel so helpless but we wish that we could do something to ease the pain of all of the people that have been troubled. So that was a very cool gesture.’’
H/T USA Today