{"id":197753,"date":"2026-03-19T13:18:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T13:18:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/197753\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T13:18:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T13:18:34","slug":"echls-solar-bears-honor-shooting-victims-first-responders-with-orlando-united-jerseys-sportslogos-net-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/197753\/","title":{"rendered":"ECHL\u2019s Solar Bears Honor Shooting Victims, First Responders With \u2018Orlando United\u2019 Jerseys \u2013 SportsLogos.Net News"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Nearly a decade after the tragedy, the Orlando Solar Bears are honoring the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting and the first responders who answered the call that night with special edition jerseys next month.<\/p>\n

The ECHL affiliate of the American Hockey League\u2019s Syracuse Crunch and the NHL\u2019s Tampa Bay Lightning will sport Orlando United specialty jerseys for their First Responders Appreciation Night on Saturday, April 11, when they host the Savannah Ghost Pirates at Kia Center. The jerseys \u201cfeature design elements symbolizing unity, resilience, and remembrance,\u201d according to a Solar Bears press release. \u201cThey serve as a visual tribute not only to the courage shown on June 12, 2016, but also to the lives tragically lost and the enduring strength of the Orlando community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese jerseys honor both the victims and the ongoing commitment of police, fire, EMS, and emergency communications personnel who protect Orlando every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

On April 11, we are bringing back our Orlando United specialty jerseys, honoring the victims of the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub. <\/p>\n

As we approach the 10-year anniversary, these jerseys serve as a symbol of unity, resilience, and remembrance. Paying tribute to the lives lost, the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/RUyxg138ce<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) February 24, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

The base of the jerseys is black, with broad purple stripes flanked by narrower rainbow gradient stripes around the waist and the sleeve. The crest on the front of the jersey is the bear and the wordmark from the Solar Bears\u2019 primary logo<\/a> in front of a heart with a low poly rainbow gradient. Inside the waist stripe on the front of the jersey is the hashtag #ORLANDOUNITED, which was used to rally and show support for the city in the wake of the shooting.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"Courtesy Orlando Solar Bears<\/a> \/ Facebook<\/p>\n

A purple outline runs around the shoulder yoke while a white insert sits at the front of the collar. Numbers on the sleeves and back, along with captain\u2019s letters on the front, are purple with a white outline, while names on the back are one-color white.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonoring our first responders is deeply important to our organization and our city. The Orlando United jerseys remind us of the strength, compassion, and bravery these individuals demonstrated during one of Orlando\u2019s most difficult moments and continue to demonstrate today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Chris Heller, President, Orlando Solar Bears<\/p>\n

The April 11 game will also include in-game recognitions, special presentations, appearances by local first responder agencies, and opportunities for fans to show their appreciation to first responders. Game-worn Orlando United jerseys will be auctioned off; beneficiaries of the proceeds have not yet been announced.<\/p>\n

On June 12, 2016, a total of 49 people were killed and 58 others wounded when a gunman opened fire at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. The shooter \u2014 who swore allegiance to the leader of ISIS \u2014 was later fatally shot by police. At the time, it was the deadliest terrorist attack in the United States since the September 11 attacks and the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.<\/p>\n

The Solar Bears\u2019 jerseys aren\u2019t the only memorial to the Pulse victims among the Orlando sports community. In 2017, Major League Soccer side Orlando City SC permanently installed 49 seats in rainbow colors to honor the victims at their home ground, Inter&Co Stadium.<\/p>\n

\"\"Courtesy Reddit<\/a><\/p>\n

The Solar Bears also recently sported out-of-this-world uniforms for the Space Night against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Sunday, March 15.<\/p>\n