Houston Rockets working on potential Game 5 ceremony for Santa Fe victims

Tilman Fertitta (FOX 26 News)

Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and the franchise are working on a potential ceremony during Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to honor the victims of the Santa Fe High School tragedy that according to sources would offer a "momentary escape" from everything connected to the tragedy.

"We're just trying to do our little piece to make it special for all these special people in Galveston County and Santa Fe," Fertitta says.

 

FOX 26 Sports Director Mark Berman has learned the potential on-court ceremony may include a video tribute and involve Tilman's family, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, first responders, and the Santa Fe school choir performing the National Anthem.

The Houston Rockets are working on inviting all Santa Fe High School seniors, administrators, select community personnel, the mayor and the police chief. Tilman would provide them with tickets, transportation and food.

The Rockets players could wear Santa Fe High School ribbons on their jerseys and they could have special shirts for pregame. Everything connected to the ceremony has to be approved by the NBA.

Rockets CEO Tad Brown spoke about how the tragedy at Santa Fe High School has affected Fertitta and the entire Rockets organization.

"This is something that has really affected the entire organization. Tilman and his family have deep roots in that area. He knows many of the people personally who have been involved in this situation," Brown says. "It is important for us to make sure that we represent the organization, the family and the community in a manner that is befitting the situation that we face."

Brown says the tragedy has impacted everyone throughout the organization "because this is no longer one of those situations you see on the news where it is somewhere else."

"This is right down the street. Talking to our players, our coaches, this is something that is very important to make sure that the community feels our love and appreciation for them and our support so that we can help them be strong," Brown says. "We are going to try to do or best to pay our respects and honor those that have been affected in the appropriate manner."