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          Sports world expresses grief over Vegas shooting that left 50-plus dead

          • ESPN.com news services
          Oct 2, 2017, 02:09 PM

          Teams and athletes throughout the sports world expressed their sympathy and shock over Sunday's mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip that has left at least 59 people dead and more than 500 injured.

          Among the athletes tweeting about the shooting were Las Vegas natives Bryce Harper, Kyle Busch, Kris Bryant and DeMarco Murray.

          A gunman perched on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay casino unleashed a hail of bullets on an outdoor country music festival on Sunday night as tens of thousands of concertgoers screamed and ran for their lives, officials said Monday.

          It is the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

          UNLV men's hockey assistant coach Nick Robone was a victim in the shooting. The team tweeted that Robone is out of surgery and in the intensive care unit.

          Robone was shot in the chest but is expected to make a full recovery, according to the team. He will remain in the hospital for the near future.

          UNLV athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois thanked police, first responders and volunteers.

          Several athletes, including British tennis player Laura Robson, were on the strip Sunday night. Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Mike Timlin was at the concert and tweeted that he is safe, while 2016 Olympic pole vault silver medalist Sandi Morris shared her experience staying at a hotel near the shooting.

          "We extend our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families and all those affected by the tragic events that took place on the Las Vegas Strip Sunday night," the Vegas Golden Knights said in a statement. "We are grateful for our city's brave first responders, law enforcement and medical personnel and the courage they demonstrated under unimaginable circumstances. We join in our city's mourning and offer our full support to the people of Las Vegas to help grieve, heal and persevere."

          The Golden Knights later confirmed in a statement that all players and staff were "accounted for and safe." They said the inaugural Fan Fest that had been scheduled for Tuesday has been cancelled, and that starting Tuesday, the team will be making community appearances to show support for first responders and victims.

          The team also announced that the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation would be making a "significant donation" toward relief efforts.

          The Oakland Raiders, who are planning to move to Las Vegas, released a statement saying they were "saddened by the tragedy."

          "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and first responders," the team said. "The heart of the Raider Nation goes out to Las Vegas."

          The NFL later released a statement saying that the NFL Foundation would match the Raiders' $50,000 contribution to the Las Vegas Victims' Fund. The NFL Foundation will also contribute $50,000 to the American Red Cross to assist with blood drives and other relief efforts, according to the statement.

          Other professional teams also weighed in via Twitter to send their thoughts to the numerous victims.

          There will be a moment of silence before ESPN's Monday Night Football game between the Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs.

          "At the direction of Commissioner [Roger] Goodell, there be an on-field moment of silence for Las Vegas before tonight's game," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "This will be a moment of reflection for the victims, their families and loved ones and also for the heroic efforts of the first responders."

          The Associated Press contributed to this report.