A ribbon-shaped decal is shown on a Virginia Tech helmet at NCAA college football practice, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Hokies are wearing the decal that includes the number 58, a nod to the 32 murdered by a gunman at the university in 2007 and the 26 murdered in Newtown, Conn., this month. The Hokies take on Rutgers in the the Russell Athletic Bowl on Friday. (AP Photo/Kyle Hightower) (The Associated Press)
ORLANDO, Fla. – Virginia Tech will honor the victims of the Connecticut elementary school mass shooting with special helmet decals during the Russell Athletic Bowl.
Hokies coach Frank Beamer says the decision to wear the decal during Friday's matchup with Rutgers was made because Virginia Tech — site of a 2007 mass shooting — feels a kinship with the victims of the Dec. 14 attack in which 20 children and six adults were killed.
The decal is an orange and green folded ribbon, and includes "VT" and "SH" for Sandy Hook on opposite ends. It also includes the number "58" under the word "Prevail."
The coaching staff will also honor the victims by wearing an orange, white and green ribbon, held together by a Virginia Tech pin on the side of their hats.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.