On Sept. 15, Florida International University Panthers took on the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in their first game at home since two of their players were shot in a drive-by shooting. FIU secured their first home victory of the season (2-1), while the Minutemen continued their losing streak (1-3).
About 10 days ago, two FIU football players were injured in a drive-by-shooting. Offensive lineman Marshawn Miller and running back Anthony Jones were walking into a friend’s home in Opa-locka when a grey Nissan Sentra pulled up and fired over a dozen rounds.
Jones was hit in the face and back and airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital while Miller was taken there too after he was hit in the arm. The injuries have been declared to be non-life threatening.
The two players may have been gone from the gridiron, but they are not forgotten. Since the shooting, the FIU and local Miami community have kept the two football players thoughts and prayers.
One fan said, “We’re rooting for you and we’re wishing you the best of luck.”
To honor Miller and Jones, teammates ran out before an away game holding up jersey number 62 for Miller, and hashtagging 2-62, because Jones wears number two on the team.
On Sept. 7, Miller was released from the hospital while Jones remains hospitalized.
By: Maytinee Kramer