ORLANDO, Fla. -- Theres nothing that can give Mayra Alvear back what she lost, or ease her pain, or calm her anger.With one gesture, she at least felt some joy again.Underneath a softly swaying banner displaying the number 49 -- commemorating the number of lives lost -- and as first responders unfurled and held a massive American flag for the national anthem, the Orlando Magic paid tribute Wednesday night to the victims and survivors of the Pulse gay nightclub massacre with an emotional ceremony immediately before the teams season-opener against the Miami Heat.We felt the recognition needed to be significant, Magic president Alex Martins said. We think part of the healing process for our community is making sure we dont forget. And we felt it was most appropriate that we do it on opening night, so it receives the proper recognition and exposure -- but also gave the greatest number of our fans the opportunity to recognize and remember.Some survivors were present, as were some relatives of those who were killed on June 12 in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The gunman, Omar Mateen, was killed after a three-hour standoff during an exchange of fire with SWAT team members.What the Orlando Magic are doing is amazing, is beautiful. Im honored and grateful, said Alvear, the mother of Pulse victim Amanda Alvear. That they are lifting the number 49 out of respect, a symbol for our 49 Pulse angels, it has a deep meaning -- demonstration of love and that they care, that all of them will be remembered.The nightclub remains fenced off, yet is still attracting a daily stream of mourners. Banners on the fence are dotted with thousands of handwritten messages from visitors, with some flowers and candles on the ground.Martins was the chair of OneOrlando, a fund that collected $29.5 million in donations thats being distributed to 299 claimants. At the time of the shooting, the Magic were just a few weeks removed from the hiring of Frank Vogel as their new coach, and less than three weeks away from a free-agent period where the roster would be greatly revamped.But Martins quickly volunteered anyway, helping oversee the massive task.One of the ways that I felt I could help, that I could assist, was to help with the administration of the fund, Martins said. So I raised my hand immediately.The tribute coming before a Magic-Heat game was fitting, given how many of those affected by the events of that night were from South Florida.It was particularly poignant to one survivor.Heat employee Laura Vargas was shot twice that night. She can recall every detail -- the strobe lights, the Heineken in her hand, how she was putting away her ID as she heard the first shots. She remembers watching Mateen reload a weapon, the blood pouring from her wounds, even the look on the police officers face when she was rescued.Her best friend, Luis Vielma, who Vargas said was straight, was one of the victims.Its not even just about me, Vargas said. Its coping that hes not there anymore. Its a lot to carry around.Vargas isnt able yet to resume work. She was at the arena the Heat call home last week for an event called Loud And Proud that celebrated the LGBTQ community, but couldnt shake the feeling Mateen was there. Her flashbacks and nightmares are terrifying -- she said she had a total breakdown recently at Disney when a fireworks show sounded like gunfire.Nights like Wednesday, she said, make it all a bit easier.The love thats come out of this is not fading, Vargas said. It brings me comfort to know that my best friend is one of the reasons why this world is a little bit less crappy, that his life isnt just forgotten. No. He made a difference. And he would be happy to know that even with the chaos, the horror, he made a change.This was not a one-night commitment for the Magic, who have contributed both money and staff resources to the ongoing healing process and plan to continue. In addition to the banner, the team aired a video in tribute and invited singer Brandon Parsons -- who composed a song called Forty-Nine Times -- to perform pregame.Parsons song included this phrase: Takes more than just a gun, more than you to tear us down, so let your colors fly free.Its been so impactful since the day of that event, said Otto Drozd, the Fire Chief for Orange County Fire Rescue. This is part of the healing process. We continue to remember the 49 that lost their lives and those that were injured that night, and really, we do that because we dont want to relive it. Texas Rangers Shirts . A forerunning sled crashed into the worker Thursday at the Sanki Sliding Center. The unidentified worker broke both legs and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Texas Rangers Pro Shop . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Stitched Rangers Jerseys . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. Cheap Rangers Jerseys . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. 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SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Taylor Rapp returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown and Myles Gaskin ran for 159 yards to help No. 4 Washington strengthen its case for a playoff berth with a 41-10 victory over No. 9 Colorado in the Pac-12 championship game Friday night.The Huskies (12-1, No. 4 CFP) broke open a close game when Rapp intercepted Sefo Liufaus passes on the first two drives of the second half for a touchdown and to set up a field goal that made it 24-7.Washington rolled from there to its first conference title since 2000 with a performance likely to keep the Huskies in the top four when the College Football Playoff bids are handed out Sunday.It was a rough day for Colorado (10-3, No. 8 CFP) and Liufau, who was knocked out of the game after injuring his right leg on a sack on the Buffaloes first drive of the game. He returned to start the second half and threw three interceptions, including one on the first play from scrimmage that Rapp returned 35 yards for a score.Liufau threw another interception on the ensuing drive and Colorado could never recover. Even a circus kick return in the third quarter couldnt help the Buffaloes. Anthony Julmisse returned a kick to near midfield and fumbled. Phillip Lindsay scooped up and ran down to the 2 but Colorado was held to a field goal.THE TAKEAWAYColorado: From the opening kickoff that went out of bounds, little went right for the Buffaloes, who were uunable to cap an impressive turnaround season with a conference title.dddddddddddd Liufaus injury didnt help the cause. Steven Montez went 5 for 12 for 60 yards in the first half and was unable to generate any consistent offense and Liufau was even worse when he returned. He threw as many interceptions in the third quarter (3) as he had all season and was just 2 for 12 for 12 yards after coming back into the game.Washington: The usually efficient Jake Browning struggled throwing the ball but it didnt matter as the Huskies dominated the game with 265 yards on the ground behind Gaskin and Lavon Coleman (101 yards). Browning went just 9 for 24 for 118 yards but did throw two TDs. His second touchdown was far from his prettiest throw of the season. With a defender draped all over him, Browning threw a ball up from grabs that John Ross caught in front of Chidobe Awuzie and ran in 19 yards for the score. Brownings 42 TDs are one shy of Jared Goffs Pac-12 record.UP NEXTColorado: The Buffaloes must wait to see if they will remain ahead of No. 11 USC in the playoff rankings and get a Rose Bowl bid if Washington goes to the playoff or likely head to the Alamo Bowl if they drop behind the Trojans.Washington: A likely berth in the playoff.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '