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Orlando Magic reflect on the emotions, memorialize Pulse tragedy

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Oct 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Jeff Green (34), Orlando Magic guard C.J. Watson (32) and teammates wears an Orlando United shirt in tribute to the victims of the Pulse terror attack during the national anthem against the Miami Heat at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Jeff Green (34), Orlando Magic guard C.J. Watson (32) and teammates wears an Orlando United shirt in tribute to the victims of the Pulse terror attack during the national anthem against the Miami Heat at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pregame of Wednesday’s season opener brought the opportunity to reflect on and memorialize those lost in this summer’s tragic shooting at Pulse Night Club.

June 11, 2016 was like any other night in Orlando. People went about their lives, enjoying a summer Saturday night in their home town.

Evan Fournier recounted he was actually in town and out that night. Several other players on the Magic surely were too, celebrating another weekend in their city. Players were trickling in for pre-Draft workouts in Orlando too. Personally, I was at the Orlando Predators game that evening.

It was a normal Saturday. There was no reason to believe tragedy would occur. Is there ever?

Around 2 a.m. though, everything changed. For Orlando and for the country.

A gunman opened fire in a targeted hate attack — done in the name of ISIL, but who knows what truly motivates heinous crimes like this — on the Pulse Night Club, a prominent gay club near Downtown Orlando. It was a tragic and painful moment for the city as the gunman murdered 49 brothers and sisters in the club that night.

Orlando had forever changed.

It was wounded and hurt, but stronger from the unity the city showed afterward.

With the Orlando Magic hosting their first regular season game since the tragedy that June Saturday, they held a moving ceremony in tribute to the victims and a recognition of the resolve and unity the city showed in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The Orlando Magic unveiled a banner with “Orlando United” and the No. 49 to commemorate those lost on that tragic day. Their names are inscribed on the banner. The team held a touching video tribute (which you can see above) and hosted families of victims and survivors at the Amway Center during Wednesday’s home opener.

The moment was also sure to effect and touch members of the Magic family who represent and live in this community.

“That was a terrible thing to happen,” Nikola Vucevic said before the game. “Especially in Orlando, it’s always been a city that is really calm. People think about it as Disney and a happy place. The great thing is the people got united. It was great to see everyone got united and everyone was supporting the victims and that was amazing to see.”

Those feelings were recreated in the tribute before Wednesday’s game.

It was important for the Magic to have their moment to recognize the victims and share their grief with the community with a public memorial. It is something

The organization, of course, has been doing a lot to support the victims and memorialize them since it happened. The team donated money to the One Orlando Fund. The One Orlando Fund itself is run by team CEO Alex Martins.

The Magic had their opportunity to bring the community together again and did so in a meaningful way.

“That was a painful thing for all of us in this community,” coach Frank Vogel said. “And none more painful than the victims. To bring them closer to us and share a moment, to let them know they are loved and we’re hurting with them is very important to us with the Orlando Magic and to myself to connect with these people who have suffered.”

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The result to the game was not what the Magic wanted.

There was an added buzz and excitement to the game. The Magic crowd at the Amway Center was as engaged as it has been since the rebuild began following Dwight Howard‘s departure.

Even following the subdued and emotional tribute, the crowd cheered the team louder than it has before. It was the second largest attendance for a Magic game since the team moved into the Amway Center.

The balloon did seem deflated as the Magic struggled through the third quarter. Any disappointment and frustration from the opening game is only because expectations are (rightfully) raised higher this year.

The Magic do have work to do. They do have a job to do to make the Playoffs and give their fans that comfort and distraction that sports does for those facing tragedies. Sports, as Alex Martins likes to say, has the power to unite.

“When terrible things like that happen and you can’t change anything, it’s horrible that it happens, but it’s great to see people trying to rally together and make the families of the victims feel better by showing them support,” Nikola Vucevic said. “I think it’s important that we stick together.”

Next: 10 predictions for the Orlando Magic season

The Magic for their moment before Wednesday’s game did their part to unite and help the city continue its healing.