Carolina Panthers pay homage to Tree of Life victims ahead of Steelers game

Hours before their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, the Carolina Panthers placed flowers in front of the Tree of Life synagogue.

“With these flowers we extend our deepest sympathies to the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh. #StrongerThanHate,” the Panthers tweeted along with a photo of the gesture.

With these flowers we extend our deepest sympathies to the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh. #StrongerThanHate pic.twitter.com/WNUdV4Knfa

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 8, 2018

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton also wore cleats honoring the victims of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting to the game.

The NFL team shared images of the cleats, which feature the phrase “Stronger than Hate” and the team’s colors.

“Cam’s cleats for tonight. Bigger than football,” the team said in a tweet earlier on Thursday, along with the “#StrongerThanHate” hashtag.

Cam’s cleats for tonight. Bigger than football. #StrongerThanHate pic.twitter.com/Qx811F6raK

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 8, 2018

According to Sports Illustrated, the cleats also featured “hatred cannot weaken a city of steel,” written on the inside.

Newton joins Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in honoring the victims of the synagogue shooting.

{mosads}Last Sunday, Roethlisberger also wore cleats honoring the victims. The cleats featured the phrase “Stronger than Hate” and re-imagined the Steelers’ logo  to include a Star of David.

Eleven people were killed at the Tree of Life synagogue late last month after a gunman opened fire during religious services.

Robert Bowers, the suspected gunman, pleaded not guilty to 44 federal charges, including hate crimes.