The Pittsburgh sports community is reacting, passionately, emotionally, from near and far, to the mass shooting Saturday at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Follow our news partners at WPXI-TV for the latest.
The first sporting event held since the shooting, which ended early this afternoon, was the Pitt-Duke football game at Heinz Field. Before kickoff, according to our Matt Grubba, a brief statement on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh expressing condolences for those hurt and killed at the synagogue — located less than two miles from campus — was read by the public address announcer. A moment of silence was observed after the Pitt players and coaches had taken the field for the national anthem.
At roughly the same time in University Park, Pa., according to our Jarrod Prugar, Penn State held a moment of silence before kickoff against Iowa.
At the far end of the continent, in Vancouver, British Columbia, according to our Chris Bradford, the Penguins' coaches and players were deeply moved by the news. Mike Sullivan, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang spoke about it:
Just before the 10:08 p.m. faceoff, the Canucks held a moment of silence with the official City of Pittsburgh seal displayed on the Rogers Arena scoreboard at center ice:
Moment of silence in Vancouver with City of Pittsburgh seal on center ice scoreboard. #dkps #penguins pic.twitter.com/XX4fr73Rsj
— Chris Bradford (@PghBradford) October 28, 2018
And immediately after Casey DeSmith shut out the Canucks, he shouted to his teammates in the Vancouver visiting locker room: "This one is for Pittsburgh, boys!"
"This one is for Pittsburgh, boys." pic.twitter.com/UFy0q4Lb3q
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 28, 2018
The Steelers announced late Saturday afternoon that they'll have a moment of silence before kickoff Sunday against the Browns.
Reaction also came from social media, from all of the region's teams and colleges:
STEELERS
We send our thoughts and prayers to those affected by this morning’s tragedy in Pittsburgh. We will continue to pray for everyone involved.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 27, 2018
Prayers up to Pittsburgh ??❗️ #SynogogueShooting
— Mike Hilton (@MikeHilton_28) October 27, 2018
Prayers Up for Pittsburgh ??
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) October 27, 2018
My prayers goes out to families of the victims, everyone in the city of Pittsburgh, and the Jewish-American community, I can’t believe the news. Stay strong ??#PittsburghSynagogueShooting
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) October 27, 2018
Love can conquer anything❤️ ...... Prayers out to those affected in Squirrel Hill and throughout Pittsburgh??
— RJ Prince (@rdprince64) October 27, 2018
Prayers for Pittsburgh !! Sending love to all families involved??♂️
— Xavier Grimble (@justfollowZae23) October 27, 2018
Everyone please stay inside. Shocking and sad to hear of the shooting in Squirrel Hill. My prayers go out to the ones we have already lost.
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) October 27, 2018
Used to live right in Squirrel Hill. There are so many great ppl in the community. Please everyone get shelter and stay safe
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) October 27, 2018
So sad man.... Had to check on some old friends, & thank God they are ok. Senseless violence !! https://t.co/jwKMw2MDPz
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 27, 2018
Prayers up for Pittsburgh! Thoughts go out to all of the families that lost loved ones today!
— Christian Scotland-Williamson (@1CSW) October 28, 2018
#PittsburghStrong pic.twitter.com/6sA1fOYP8X
— Terrell Edmunds (@rell_island6) October 27, 2018
Pittsburgh Stay Strong! My thoughts and prayers to those affected.
— Darrius Heyward-Bey (@theDHB85) October 27, 2018
My prayers goes out to the families of the victims in Pittsburgh today ??
— Marcus Allen (@Chico_Hndrxx) October 27, 2018
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) October 27, 2018
Prayers for all the families affected in Pittsburgh today
— Anthony Chickillo (@Chickillo56) October 27, 2018
I am heartbroken by the act of a hate crime today on innocent people. My prayers go out to the Tree of Life Synagogue and to the community of Squirrel Hill. pic.twitter.com/zrlL6RYSWR
— Charlie Batch (@CharlieBatch16) October 28, 2018
Praying for the congregations, the Pittsburgh communities, the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, the first responders and our leadership, as they find a way to come together and hold each other up during the horrific event that took place at Tree of Life this morning.
— Jerome Bettis (@JeromeBettis36) October 27, 2018
PENGUINS
We are incredibly saddened to hear of this morning's tragedy at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. We send our thoughts and prayers to all those affected.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 27, 2018
Deeply saddened to hear the news of the shooting in Pittsburgh this morning. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected. Stay strong Pittsburgh!!
— daniel sprong (@sprong97) October 27, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are with all involved in the tragedy this morning in Pittsburgh . Thinking of you through this difficult time.
— Max Talbot (@Max25talbot) October 27, 2018
Deeply saddened to hear the news of the shooting in Pittsburgh this morning. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected. Stay strong Pittsburgh.
— Justin Schultz (@6Schultz6) October 27, 2018
Deeply saddened to hear the news of the shooting in Pittsburgh this morning. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected. Stay strong Pittsburgh #PittsburghStrong
— Pascal Dupuis (@Duper0009) October 27, 2018
Pittsburgh ?? ❤️ senseless shooting
— Rick Tocchet (@RealRocket22) October 27, 2018
Love is stronger than hate and we won't let this tragedy tear us down. My heart is with Pittsburgh. #StrongerThanHate
— Matt Murray (@mattmurray_30) October 28, 2018
PIRATES
Our hearts break at the news of this morning's tragedy in the Squirrel Hill area of Pittsburgh. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this horrible event.
— Pirates (@Pirates) October 27, 2018
My heart seriously hurts for Pittsburgh and all of the innocent people that have been affected. #PittsburghStrong
— Jameson Taillon (@JTaillon19) October 27, 2018
Thinking about the all the people in Pittsburgh tonight. My deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. #PrayForPittsburgh
— Starling Marte (@Starlingmart) October 28, 2018
I know this city well enough to know we will all mourn together, pray together and grow stronger together. To the victims and family of the victims, my deepest condolences. #PittsburghStrong
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) October 28, 2018
RIVERHOUNDS
No tweet or message will undo the damage from this morning’s tragedy. But we mourn those lost and our thoughts are with all affected in something that hits far too close to home.
We love you, Pittsburgh.
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) October 27, 2018
PITT
The victims of today’s tragic events are in our thoughts and in our hearts. The people of Pittsburgh are standing together in love and support of our Squirrel Hill community.
— Pitt Athletics (@Pitt_ATHLETICS) October 27, 2018
We play today’s game with the heaviest of hearts.#TreeOfLifeSynagogue pic.twitter.com/0NPss9FBsL
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) October 27, 2018
Prayers to the families here in Pittsburgh. Only way to fight hate is with love. 412 Family #H2P
— Qadree Ollison (@QOllison) October 27, 2018
The victims and families of today’s tragic events are in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers! The Pittsburgh community is standing together in LOVE and support with our Squirrel Hill family! pic.twitter.com/JLHgYrPJO6
— Jeff Capel (@jeffcapel) October 27, 2018
The Victory Lights will be darkened tonight as we mourn the victims of Tree of Life Synagogue. Our hearts, our thoughts, our prayers are with each of you.
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) October 27, 2018
