Stoneman-Douglas Football players visit Miami Hurricanes Spring Practice
![ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Mark Richt of the Miami Hurricanes talks in the huddle during the first half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Mark Richt of the Miami Hurricanes talks in the huddle during the first half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/91e99eb11b9dd9436d45e03d694c5d594b801fb79967e1910cb9f85faa272796.jpg)
The Miami Hurricanes hosted a group of players from Majorie Stoneman-Douglas High School about six weeks after the shooting there killed 17. Among those killed was assistant football coach Aaron Feis.
Miami Hurricanes Offensive Lineman Corey Gaynor is a Stoneman-Douglas alum and just one year removed from being a student there. Gaynor showed his solidarity with his alma mater by wearing a t-shirt dedicated to Feis. Several of the visitors from Douglas also wore the t-shirts memorializing Feis.
Miami Head Coach Mark Richt spoke with Douglas Head Football Coach Willis May the day of the tragedy. When they spoke neither knew the extent of the tragedy. May had not yet learned of Feis’ death.
Feis’ story as a hero during the tragedy. He died while attempting to shield students from shooter Nicholas Cruz’s gunfire. Feis had multiple positions at the school that included being an assistant coach on the football team.
Gaynor released a statement through a Miami Athletic Department spokesperson on what it meant to see some of his former coaches, teammates and students.
"“It means everything,…It just shows how strong we are as a community. They’re very supportive. They’re doing a great job and I’m very proud that those men are my coaches.”"
This won’t be the last time that Miami honors Stoneman-Douglas. Richt spoke about how the team plans to honor the Eagles this season.
Stoneman Douglas football players among the recruits who attended Miami practice today. Mark Richt says UM will do #MSDStrong tribute vs. LSU, commends students for speaking out after #Parkland pic.twitter.com/XXSEGy6qqW
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) March 31, 2018
"“Through the media, I just want to tell that that we love them…We’ll have something to honor their school, their fallen schoolmates and coach and teachers and all that in-season, for that (Sept. 2) game against LSU on national TV, we’ll have some kind of tribute there.”"