Florida Panthers wear Jose Fernandez jerseys during warmups

The Florida Panthers wore jerseys to honor Jose Fernandez during warmups.

The entire state of Florida was devastated by the death of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez. He was an important community figure in Miami and its surrounding communities. He might have been the most popular athlete in Florida, especially with the recent departure of Dwyane Wade.

The Florida Panthers, who play in Sunrise, honored Fernandez by wearing Fernandez jerseys during warmups before their first game of the season against the New Jersey Devils.

Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon showed up to the game to support Fernandez and the Panthers. Naturally, Aleksander Barkov, who wears 16, scored the game winning goal in overtime. It was a magical night in Florida, appropriate of the magical Fernandez.

Fernandez had the rare ability to draw support from the different cultures in Florida. As a Cuban and as an American, he had the rare ability to be able to relate to both cultures and be supported from both sides.

Fernandez came over to America after failing to get out of Cuba during his first attempt. During a later attempt, he saved his mother’s life when she went overboard by diving into the ocean to save her.

The state of Florida has rallied around Fernandez and his death. Not only have the Panthers shown support for the Marlins and Fernandez, the Miami Heat have as well. Also, the Miami Dolphins honored Fernandez before one of their games.

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Other sports teams have supported Fernandez as well. Many baseball teams held a moment of silence for Fernandez after his death. The New York Mets went above and beyond, hanging a Mets Fernandez jersey in their dugout. Chicago Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman put 16 on his hat following his death.