Dein erstes Forum » They are passionate about it and they love it a

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Theres nothing that can give Mayra Alvear back what she lost or ease her pain or calm her anger.With one gesture, she at least felt some joy again.Underneath a softly swaying banner displaying the number 49 -- commemorating the number of lives lost -- and as first responders unfurled and held a massive American flag for the national anthem, the Orlando Magic paid tribute Wednesday night to the victims and survivors of the Pulse gay nightclub massacre in Orlando with an emotional ceremony immediately before the teams season-opener against the Miami Heat.We felt the recognition needed to be significant, Magic president Alex Martins said. We think part of the healing process for our community is making sure we dont forget. And we felt it was most appropriate that we do it on opening night, so it receives the proper recognition and exposure -- but also gave the greatest number of our fans the opportunity to recognize and remember.Some survivors were present, as were some relatives of those who were killed on June 12 in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The gunman, Omar Mateen, was killed after a three-hour standoff during an exchange of fire with SWAT team members.What the Orlando Magic are doing is amazing, is beautiful. Im honored and grateful, said Alvear, the mother of Pulse victim Amanda Alvear. That they are lifting the number 49 out of respect, a symbol for our 49 Pulse angels, it has a deep meaning -- demonstration of love and that they care, that all of them will be remembered.The nightclub remains fenced off, yet is still attracting a daily stream of mourners. Banners on the fence are dotted with thousands of handwritten messages from visitors, with some flowers and candles on the ground.Martins was the chair of OneOrlando, a fund that collected $29.5 million in donations that is being distributed to 299 claimants. At the time of the shooting, the Magic were just a few weeks removed from the hiring of Frank Vogel as their new coach and less than three weeks away from a free-agent period in which the roster would be greatly revamped.But Martins quickly volunteered anyway, helping oversee the massive task.One of the ways that I felt I could help, that I could assist, was to help with the administration of the fund, Martins said. So I raised my hand immediately.The tribute coming before a Magic-Heat game was fitting, given how many of those affected by the events of that night were from South Florida.It was particularly poignant to one survivor.Heat employee Laura Vargas was shot twice that night. She can recall every detail -- the strobe lights, the Heineken in her hand, how she was putting away her ID as she heard the first shots. She remembers watching Mateen reload a weapon, the blood pouring from her wounds and even the look on the police officers face when she was rescued.Her best friend, Luis Vielma, who Vargas said was straight, was one of the victims.Its not even just about me, Vargas said. Its coping that hes not there anymore. Its a lot to carry around.Vargas isnt able yet to resume work. She was at the arena the Heat call home last week for an event called Loud And Proud that celebrated the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, but she couldnt shake the feeling Mateen was there. Her flashbacks and nightmares are terrifying; she said she had a total breakdown recently at Disney when a fireworks show sounded like gunfire.Nights like Wednesday, she said, make it all a bit easier.The love thats come out of this is not fading, Vargas said. It brings me comfort to know that my best friend is one of the reasons why this world is a little bit less crappy, that his life isnt just forgotten. No. He made a difference. And he would be happy to know that even with the chaos, the horror, he made a change.This was not a one-night commitment for the Magic, who have contributed both money and staff resources to the ongoing healing process and plan to continue. In addition to the banner, the team aired a video in tribute and invited singer Brandon Parsons -- who composed a song called Forty-Nine Times -- to perform pregame.Parsons song included this phrase: Takes more than just a gun, more than you to tear us down, so let your colors fly free.Its been so impactful since the day of that event, said Otto Drozd, the fire chief for Orange County Fire Rescue. This is part of the healing process. We continue to remember the 49 that lost their lives and those that were injured that night, and really, we do that because we dont want to relive it. Jeff Foster Jersey . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Mike Dunleavy Jr. Jersey . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. https://www.cheappacers.com/1283k-jeremy-lamb-jersey-pacers.html .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. Antonio Davis Jersey . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. Billy Knight Jersey . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. PHILADELPHIA -- The noise pumping through the speakers inside the Eagles practice bubble was so loud it could be heard nearly a mile away in the streets of south Philadelphia.Theyre getting ready for Seattle.The Eagles (5-4) visit the Seahawks (6-2-1) on Sunday so they spent Thursday preparing for the NFLs loudest fans known as the 12s.Its really hard to totally simulate this environment, but thats the fun part of it, offensive coordinator Frank Reich said before practice. When youve been around this league and you kind of get in environments like this, as challenging as it is, its fun.For rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, itll be his toughest challenge on the road yet. The Eagles have lost four in a row away from home and Wentz has struggled in the first quarter in a few of those games.This will be a good experience for Carson, Reich said. You look forward to it, but youve got to keep your poise. Youve got to really be able to bounce back from a bad play. Youve got to have the fortitude to get back up and just stay aggressive.Wentz threw two interceptions on the first two possessions in his previous road game against the Giants.The Eagles fell behind 14-0, but had an opportunity to take the lead in the final minute when they had first down from the New York 17 only to have Wentz throw four straight incomplete passes.I think the biggest thing is you need to communicate a lot, Wentz said about the crowd noise. You need to work on hand signals both with the O-linemen and the receivers. Youve got to work through a lot of those things.But those are things weve done already. Obviously, it wwill be louder, but if you already have those set in stone, I dont think it should be too big of an effect.ddddddddddddEagles coach Doug Pederson grew up in Washington and went to Seahawks games at the old Kingdome.Its a great fan base up there, Pederson said. Ive experienced it firsthand from a fans perspective as a kid in high school. They are passionate about it and they love it and they take pride in it.The way that stadium is designed and built with that cover right there, everything is kind of right on top of you and its a great atmosphere.The Eagles have 15 false-start penalties in their first nine games, including five at home last week in a win over the Falcons . Its imperative for the offense to use a silent snap count because the offensive linemen and receivers probably wont hear Wentz.A point of emphasis this week for us obviously is to be able to handle that and minimize those penalties, Pederson said.Game notes WR Dorial Green-Beckham has no catches in the past two games despite playing 93 snaps. He wasnt even targeted once vs. Atlanta. Green-Beckham made it clear no targets doesnt mean hes not open. Im not frustrated about it, Green-Beckham told The Associated Press. If you look at the film, there are plays where Im open, but other players are open on the same play, too. I just keep working hard.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddi ' ' '