Sports always has the power to unite.
More than ever, this community needs a distraction and another reason to come together. Not in mourning, but in celebration and remembrance.
More than any team in the city, Orlando City has become a cultural meeting place. Like the football game every week, the stadium gets buzzing and the community comes together. Downtown is filled with purple and the passion and exuberance that defines this city comes out each week at Camping World Stadium.
This weekend’s game against the San Jose Earthquake will be an emotional one. The first sporting event held in the city since Sunday morning’s tragic shooting at Pulse night bar that took away 49 of our community members.
There is still a pall over the city as details about the shooting emerge. Fortunately, the good news of those 50-plus injured telling their stories of survival and leaving the hospital healthy will continue to lift our spirits and ease our fears.
But nothing can replace communal moments. The OneOrlando Vigil was a big step in the mourning process. Saturday’s Orlando City game will be a big step in the recovery process. In reclaiming our exuberant selves. In returning Orlando to the “Happiest Place on Earth.”
Orlando City announced its plans for the game Saturday, admitting fully that it would not market the game as usual. There will be no #FillTheBowl efforts, but it is not hard to imagine an abnormally large crowd filing in for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
The full list of events and tributes were listed in a tweet Tuesday:
A breakdown of Saturday’s events.#OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/iISauVNwo1
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 14, 2016
Orlando City has stepped up to the plate, using this forum to recognize the first responders who saved lives Saturday and Sunday. They have also found a unique way to recognize the victims by leaving those 50 seats open for the 49 killed at Pulse and a seat for Christina Grimmie, who was shot after a concert at Plaza Live on Friday.
Orlando City is also joining Orlando’s other teams to sell t-shirts benefiting the OneOrlando Fund, a fund created to benefit the victims and their families. T-shirts will be available at the Orlando Magic Team Shop beginning Thursday, a pop-up store at Wall Street on Thursday and Friday and at the game Saturday.
The city is in need of some major healing. It is in need of some normalcy. Sports provides that distraction and escape.
Orlando will have its moment of coming together at Camping World Stadium on Saturday. Orlando City is just the conduit for this moment of collective healing. It will be an emotional and strengthening evening.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Orlando Predators sign former Apopka star
The Orlando Predators announced they have signed former Apopka star Jeremy Gallon.
The former Apopka High School and Michigan standout was a seventh round pick last season and played for the New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Toronto Argonauts (CFL). He had a very successful collegiate career at Michigan with 2,704 yards on 173 receptions for his career.
Gallon was known as a speedy receiver and that could become even more valuable in the Arena Football League.
The Predators already have a speedy guy in Brandon Thompkins, who is adept at returning kicks in addition to his great play on screens and overall as a receiver. Gallon certainly could be used the same way to complement the other receivers the Predators have.
The local tie is nice too.
The Predators play the Jacksonville Sharks on CBS Sports Network on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
UCF starting off at night
UCF announced the kickoff times for its first three home games of the season, all coming at night to add to the effect of the new jerseys and the new style of play the team will play with.
Knight Time. Right Time.
? 7PM – SCSU
? 7PM – MD
? 8PM – TLNhttps://t.co/CvXVX3zjVa#RiseandConquer pic.twitter.com/3LH1pqbA1V— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) June 15, 2016
UCF will open its season Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. against South Carolina State, and it sure looks like it will be a true white out game with the Knights wearing white jerseys. The game will air on ESPN3 for those who cannot make it to BrightHouse Networks Stadium.
The Knights then travel to Michigan for a noon kickoff in the Big House against the Wolverines.
UCF hosts Maryland on Sept. 17 for a 7 p.m. kickoff on CBS Sports Network. This will be the second straight game against a Big Ten opponent and should give the Knights another stern test. The national TV audience will be tuning in for a big game representing the American Athletic Conference.
The final game time announced was the Oct. 7 game against Tulane. It will kick off at 8 p.m. and air on ESPN or ESPNU. That is UCF’s conference home opener.
The Knights will also play at FIU on Sept. 24 in a game that will air on beINSport at 7 p.m.
