Virginia alums Mellisa Stark and D’Brickashaw Ferguson were called upon to attest to the skills and talent level of the athletes and their legacies outside of football. In addition, each player was welcomed to the “NFL family” as their loved ones received custom jerseys representing various NFL teams, Vibe reported.

Davis’ family received a Baltimore Ravens jersey, Chandler’s family received a Jacksonville Jaguars jersey, and Perry’s received a Miami Dolphins jersey. Each jersey featured the number 23. Virginia head coach Tony Elliott and the university’s athletic director Carla Williams attended the event.

The three were shot and killed in November 2022 when former UVA running back Christopher Jones Jr. allegedly opened gunfire on a bus filled with students. Based on a collection of first-hand accounts, the shooting was targeted, with one person claiming Jones shot Chandler as he slept. Two other students were injured.

UVA awarded the three posthumous degrees from The College of Arts & Sciences in December 2022.

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Programs Rachel Most initiated the request for the certificates, which were promptly delivered by Williams to each of the families.

“It was a great honor to be a part of presenting these diplomas to the families of Devin, Lavel and D’Sean,” the athletic director said. 

 

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Chandler was a second-year Huntersville, North Carolina, student who majored in American studies. Davis, a third-year student from Ridgeville, South Carolina, majored in African American and African studies.

Perry was in his fourth year at the university and was from Miami. He double majored in studio art and African American and African studies.