Tampa Bay Rays, Orlando City SC Show Support in Wake of Orlando Mass Shooting

One permanent memorial, two nights of support and three pieces of honorary apparel have been dedicated to the LGBT community following the June 12 mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.  

In the name of the 49 lost and 53 surviving victims, the Tampa Bay Rays and Orlando City SC, along with thousands of their fans, rallied to raise funds and intrastate unity.

A crowd 40,000 strong flocked to Tropicana Field as Tampa hosted only its second sold-out crowd of the season during Friday's Pride Night, donning vintage caps commemorating the former Southern League affiliate Orlando Rays—many of which will be autographed and auctioned.

Come Saturday, the city's MLS squad will take to the field in kits bearing an honorary rainbow heart patch. 

The same design is also available on shirts for purchase by fans, but it won't be the only part of Orlando City SC to receive a multicolored treatment.

Plans have already been put into place for a memorial in the club's new stadium, ready in 2017. There, Section 12 will be home to rows of rainbow-colored seats in remembrance of every victim. 

All proceeds from the efforts of both teams will benefit the Pride Victims Fund and OneOrlando Fund. 

Update: Saturday, June 18

Orlando City SC dedicated a section of their stadium to the 49 victims Saturday for the team's match against the San Jose Quakes, stringing colored balloons around seats:

The demonstration was also intended to honor Christina Grimmie, the 22-year-old singer from The Voice who was shot and killed after a concert in the city June 10.

The team also paused in the 49th minute of play against the Quakes to observe a moment of silence:

Fans of the Orlando Pride, the local National Women's Soccer League club, also honored the victims by clapping in the 49th minute of Saturday's game against the Washington Spirit:

[The Score, The Score, The Score]