[Gotham Dark Knight]

University of Miami defensive lineman Bryan Pata was shot and killed Tuesday night at an apartment complex in Miami. Pata, a senior, is from Miami. Police had no other details

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

University of Miami defensive lineman Bryan Pata was shot and killed Tuesday night at an apartment complex in Miami. Pata, a senior, is from Miami. Police had no other details

ESPN is now reporting that Pata was killed shortly after leaving the practice field today. Police are still being tight-lipped about additional details, but the university is supposedly planning to release an official statement shortly.

[EmpireWF]

Terribly sad to hear this.

Miami (Fl.) University just can't catch a single break this year. When it rains, it pours. But when something like this happens, (I know I hate when I hear it, but I guess it's true), it puts in perspective sports.

[Lefty Noob]

I guess there's a shot that this weekend's game vs. Maryland gets cancelled. Can't say I'd blame them if they chose to do so.

[aparke10]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I guess there's a shot that this weekend's game vs. Maryland gets cancelled. Can't say I'd blame them if they chose to do so.

No no no...don't cancel a game because of a death. It is a tragic event...nobody is trying to say otherwise. You need to play for the player. Most teams wear the teammates number, or somehow show that they miss him, but will play in memory of him. Cancelling a game just prolongs the grief of playing without him. Hopefully Miami can prevail and next year pull out a much better season than this one. They definitely haven't had the best publicity at all this year.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by aparke10

No no no...don't cancel a game because of a death. It is a tragic event...nobody is trying to say otherwise. You need to play for the player. Most teams wear the teammates number, or somehow show that they miss him, but will play in memory of him. Cancelling a game just prolongs the grief of playing without him. Hopefully Miami can prevail and next year pull out a much better season than this one. They definitely haven't had the best publicity at all this year.

If this was a "normal" death, I'd agree with you 100%. But this was a college kid, a teammate who they had just practiced with, being gunned down shortly after a practice. And just two days later, his teammates were back at practice preparing for a football game. That said, I have no problem with what they're doing as long as this really was the kids decision. As long as the team, not Coker or Schalala or the AD or anyone like that, made the call Pata's family is supportive of that decision, then its the right call.

[aparke10]

I see what you're saying. It's so sad to hear about deaths that had nothing to do with fate. Does anybody know if the reason why he was shot has been released? Miami is just not having a good time right now. Coker is looking like he's aged about 10 years this season. So sad.... I love football, and this is so sad!!

[VaTechNut]

As Va. Techs biggest fan , I really don't like the Canes. But I was heart broken to see them lose to the Terps. They should dedicate their last game of the season at UVA (a sure win) to Pata.

The last I heard was that Pata had an arguement with some "unknown person(s) in the parking lot where he was later found shot in the back of the head. They're being pretty tight lipped on this one.

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

Talk about a rough year for these kids. I, like most, never imagined the Canes going through a season like this.

All I know is that I'll be at the Orange Bowl on Thanksgiving to show my support for these guys regardless of a trivial W-L record.

Thanks VaTechNut, and the rest of you, for showing so much respect and class.

[VaTechNut]

Welcome, WiskeyTangoFoxtrot. I'm sure the Canes will blow up the Cavs this weekend (the game they should dedicate to Pata). They can still get out of this season with a better than .500 record. Depends on how well they play against BC.

I never thought I'd see the day when the Canes weren't a sure bet against BC.