The Orlando Predators were not at Amway Center for their first game since last weekend’s tragic shooting at Pulse, a gay night club near Downtown Orlando. Their mourning had to come far away from the people who needed their support and strength.
It was a week of ra-ra speeches from the always energetic and passionate Rob Keefe. This was a week that hit home. Whatever the Predators could do to support, they would have to do. Even if it was a few hours north in Jacksonville.
“We wept for the city for 48 hours,” KEEFE TOLD LEE GODDARD OF THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. “With that being said, sadness and frustration turned to, ‘How can we motivate the city?’ If you open up the paper, watched the game or turn on the TV and see the Orlando Predators were the first team to 10 wins this year, hopefully that makes people proud. That’s our small contribution to make everybody feel a little better.
“Every speech this week was like a Super Bowl, run-out-of-the-tunnel speech. I won’t lie. It was very emotionally draining. I think the victims would not want us to stop living our lives, and that’s why you’re seeing the emotion now, now that the week is over and we’re able to reflect upon it.”
The Predators adorned their home black jerseys, replaced their name plates with “#OrlandoStrong” as they took on the Jacksonville Sharks. They did what they could in remembrance of their community still hurting.
More than any team, the Predators likely have the closest ties to Orlando. Players with local ties like Bernard Morris, a Jones High School graduate, scatter the roster. The team is a much more local affair than the nationally powerful leagues that make up Orlando’s other teams.
Morris himself proved to be important for the Predators in that first game since the terrible events last weekend.
Randy Hippeard for the second time in three weeks was unable to play at least a part of the game with an injury. He had to be carried off the field in the fourth quarter following a sack. Morris scored on a 3rd and Goal to put the Predators up 37-27 with four minutes left.
That came following a fourth-quarter safety from Daryl Cato-Bishop forcing a fumble that was recovered by Jacksonville in the endzone. That gave the Predators a 30-27 lead and the ball back.
Morris found Gregg Carr to give Orlando the 10-point lead and some comfort in a two-possession lead as the Predators won 44-34 at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
The Predators’ had a season-low 199 yards of offense but got four touchdowns from Carr including a 46-yard score to open the game.
Orlando became the first team to reach 10 wins in the Arena Football League as the team’s strong season continues. The Predators continue to find ways to scratch out wins, resiliently working for victories and doing whatever is necessary to score more than the other team.
Randy Hippeard threw for 180 yards on 18-for-30 passing, completing four touchdowns and one interception. Morris’ only two pass attempts were the two touchdown throws that sealed the game.
It was clearly not the prettiest Arena Football game. Every win counts the same though.
And this one was one that was needed just a bit more.
The Predators return home Friday to play the rival Tampa Bay Storm in what will once again be an incredibly emotional game as the Predators honor the victims in their own way.
Alex Martins to chair OneOrlando Fund
Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins will chair the OneOrlando board, overseeing the distribution of the more than $7 million already raised in support of the families. The board will be comprised of community leaders in the LGBT and Latino communities in Orlando too.
“We recognize there are victims in need of support now, and we ask for your patience as we ensure we are able to assist these victims in an open, transparent and equitable manner,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to the Orlando Business Journal. “In the coming days and weeks, we will share more with you on this process and how the community will have a voice.”
A lot of support and funds have been raised in response to last week’s attacks. The mourning and healing have certainly begun.
Orlando City to play Ft. Lauderdale in next round of U.S. Open Cup
Orlando City’s win Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup brought the team to the round of 16 and a step closer to the team’s first trophy since joining MLS. The 1-0 win over Jacksonville Armada was emotional and important in the overall healing process.
And important for advancing in the tournament.
Orlando City now knows it will play the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on June 29 at Camping World Stadium after the Strikers upset D.C. United on penalty kicks last week. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and should be another challenge from a hungry NASL team.
Orlando City very well could still play a younger roster that mixes players on the main roster with younger players on Orlando City B and off the bench.
