Orlando Magic to raise No. 49 banner in honor of Pulse nightclub shooting victims

The Orlando Magic announced plans to honor the 49 victims killed in this past June’s Pulse nightclub shooting with a series of tributes scheduled for their home opener against the Miami Heat on Oct. 26.

The team will raise a No. 49 banner featuring the names of victims to commemorate the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. The pregame ceremonies will also include a moment of silence, recognition of first responders to the scene as “Hometown Heroes” and a video highlighting the city’s unity. The Magic will also play host to victims’ family members, survivors and Pulse employees for the game.

[Sign up for Yahoo Fantasy Basketball | Mock Draft | The Vertical | Latest news]

The Amway Center, where the Magic will play host to the Heat that night, is located less than two miles from the nightclub. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Magic pledged $100,000 to the OneOrlandoFund, which benefits families impacted by the terror attack. The Devos family, who owns the team, donated another $400,000, and Magic CEO Alex Martins has served as the chair of the fund, which has raised almost $30 million for the 299 families and survivors affected by the shooting.

Prior to Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 13, less than 24 hours after the attack, former Magic star Grant Hill addressed the crowd at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., and led a moment of silence.

There was some question as to whether the Magic might retire No. 49, which has never been worn in Orlando, but that does not appear to be the case, according to the Orlando Sentinel’s Josh Robbins.

According to the Associated Press, members of the Heat met with survivors of the shooting at a hospital located near the nightclub while in Orlando for the summer league this past July.

– – – – – – –

Ben Rohrbach is a contributor for Ball Don’t Lie and Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at rohrbach_ben@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @brohrbach