New England teams embrace Brown after fatal on-campus mass shooting

The New England Patriots plan to honor the victims of the mass shooting at Brown University before their game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, NFL Network reported.

The Saturday afternoon shooting at the campus in Providence, R.I., left at least two students dead and nine injured. A suspect was taken into custody Sunday morning, according to authorities.

Providence is closer to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., than Boston is, and many visiting teams stay in the Rhode Island capital when they are in the region to play against the Patriots.

The Bills spent Saturday night in a hotel less than two miles from the Brown campus, and the team reported all members of the traveling party were safe and remained in the hotel, The Athletic reported.

The Patriots issued a statement in support of Brown, as did the Boston Celtics and Red Sox, and Providence College. The Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, who played in Rhode Island for more than 50 years, did as well.

"The senseless act of violence that took place at Brown University has no place in our society," the Celtics posted to social media. "Our hearts are with all who have been impacted, and we stand united with the New England community against these attacks."

The WooSox, who formerly played in the Providence suburb of Pawtucket, concluded their lengthy social media statement with this: "Our hearts are with you, Providence."

Lindsay Gottlieb, the women's basketball coach at Southern California, played at Brown. She addressed the shooting shortly after her team lost to No. 1 UConn 79-51 on Saturday.

"It doesn't need to be this way," a teary-eyed Gottlieb said. "Sending thoughts and prayers to my teammates who have kids there. To the parents who have to worry about their children ... we're the only country that lives this way."

--Field Level Media