CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The National Football League honored Virginia football players Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler and D’Sean Perry during a special ceremony on the first night (April 27) of the 2023 NFL Draft by welcoming the three Cavaliers to the NFL family as ceremonial draft selections. The three UVA students were shot and killed on Grounds last Nov. 13, while returning from a school trip to Washington, D.C.
Click here to watch the presentation.
After opening comments from UVA alumni Melissa Stark of the NFL Network and former New York Jets offensive lineman D’Brickashaw Ferguson, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the crowd of over 100,000 in attendance in Kansas City.
“All three of these young men had dreams of one day being drafted and playing in the NFL,” Goodell said. “Tonight, we can make one of those dreams come true.” He then invited the families of the three players onto the stage before continuing.
“So, 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.”
Goodell presented family members of the three players NFL team jerseys with their names and the number 23 on the back. Perry’s jersey was from the Miami Dolphins, Davis Jr. from the Baltimore Ravens and Chandler from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
UVA director of athletics Carla Williams and Fralin Family Head Football Coach Tony Elliott joined the families of the three players as guests of the NFL for the presentation.
Virginia opens it 2023 football season on Sept. 2 against Tennessee in Nashville. The Cavaliers will play their first home game at Scott Stadium since the tragedy on Sept. 9 against James Madison.
Tonight, the NFL honored and celebrated the lives of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry by having a special ceremonial draft to forever enshrine them in the NFL.
#UVAStrong | @NFL | @NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/ExCdCYj8NM— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) April 28, 2023
