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South Carolina to wear helmet decals honoring Charleston victims (Photo)

South Carolina will have a helmet decal to honor the nine people killed at a Charleston church.

The decal was designed by artist Gil Shuler and features the palmetto tree with nine doves – one for each victim.

The people were shot and killed at Emanuel AME Church on June 17. The suspected shooter, Dylann Roof, has been indicted on 33 hate crime charges.

“Whether it’s Greenville, Columbia, Charleston or any other cities in South Carolina, we feel a tremendous sense of pride in this state,” South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner said in a statement.. “The tragedy that happened in Charleston doesn’t just affect people in Charleston; it affects the entire state. We feel very much a part of that at the university. Coach Steve Spurrier and University President Harris Pastides felt very strongly that the ‘Emanuel 9’ should be recognized.”

The shooting sparked discussion about the role of the Confederate flag, not only in South Carolina, but across the nation. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier supported motions to remove the flag from the grounds of the state capitol. He previously had disavowed the flag as well.

“Coach Spurrier was very engaged in this process,” Tanner said. “Football coaches are usually focused on just getting ready for their season, and he very much is too, but he took the time to be engaged with what we were going to do. He is excited that we are going to do the helmet sticker.”

When the flag was taken down from the capitol grounds he said he applauded South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for spurring the initiative.

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen also commented on the flag as well. The flag is featured in the state flag of Mississippi.

For more South Carolina news, visit GamecockCentral.com.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!