Dwayne Johnson continues to support and uplift students and families at a Georgia high school in the midst of tragedy.
Earlier this month, the 52-year-old Black Adam star visited Apalachee High School in Winder, where he gave an inspirational pregame speech to members of the school’s football team before meeting with survivors of the Sept. 4 mass shooting at the educational facility that left four dead.
The Oct. 4 game marked the team’s first home game since the tragedy, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
In a clip from his pregame locker room speech, which was shared on Instagram on Saturday, Oct. 12, Johnsaid: “You guys know you’re in for a big crowd.”
“It’s emotional. I heard the coach talking about it, the other team talking about how emotional it’s going to be. But like the coach said, it doesn’t matter, because we’re here to do one thing. What is it? Play ball, right?” he continued in his speech, which was recorded ahead of the team’s 25-6 loss to Jackson County.
“That’s what we love. But here’s the other thing. It’s out of the game. You’ve already won the game. You’ve already won. You’re undefeated. I told coach that’s the first time we’ve met. That’s the beauty of this moment, isn’t it Now . And that’s a higher calling, guys, go out there and do what you do,” Johnson added.
An Apalachee High School professor posted a heartfelt thank you to the students and faculty member who saved his life
In the caption of Johnson’s clip, the WWE great wrote that he was “honored” to speak with the team “after these incredibly brave kids suffered a tragic mass shooting.”
“All these players and coaches now play with a higher purpose and a higher intention,” he continued. “Win or lose, everyone is undefeated in the game of life. It was an honor to be in this room. It’s beyond the game.”
Johnson then shared the following post, which included images of himself shaking hands and hugging members of the school community and speaking one-on-one with survivors and victims’ families, as well as speaking in the football team’s locker room. .
Georgia school shooting victims include 2 students, 2 teachers; The teenage suspect will be charged as an adult
Dwayne Johnson at the ‘Black Adam’ photocall in Madrid on October 19, 2022.
Pablo Cuadra/WireImage
Students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, were killed in the shooting last month, as were teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
An Apalachee student, Colt Gray, 14, was charged with four counts of murder. His father, Colin Gray, 54, was also charged, which authorities confirmed stemmed from “knowingly allowing his son, Colt, to possess a weapon.”
“Inspiring (and emotional) spending time with the kids from Apalachee High who were shot and survived — everyone was in such a good mood that made my heart sing,” Johnson also wrote in his Instagram caption. “They all shared their amazing stories and were even proud to show me their new scars from the bullet wounds that they will carry for the rest of their lives. These kids are heroes.”
“I also spent time with the families of the children who died in the shooting – which caused them deep pain,” he added. “But they all feel they need to stay strong in the spirit and in the mana of their loved ones who have passed away.”
As Johnson said, everyone he “shaken hands with and hugged” was a “living example of strength, resilience” and “love.”
“Stay strong and thank you for sharing your time with me,” he concluded.
The Jumanji star previously reached out to Apalachee students last month, when he invited the football team to visit him while filming a movie in Atlanta.
He said at the time that he was in contact with the head football coach, Mike Hancock, and would be in attendance for the first home game after already meeting the students.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education