In the wake of another incomprehensible shooting at a high school in south Florida, athletes all around professional sports are stepping up to voice their concerns about the issue.

One new name to add to that list is Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell. Before Wednesday’s victory over the Phoenix Suns, Mitchell grabbed a marker and jotted down a simple, powerful message on his shoes before tip-off.

On one side he wrote “End Gun Violence,” on the other “Pray For Parkland.”

Donovan Mitchell writes ‘end gun violence’ on shoes tonight. Says the recent shooting in Florida hits home because his mom is a school teacher. pic.twitter.com/NuJKxs0Kfg — kristen kenney (@kristenkenney) February 15, 2018





This is a new stage for Mitchell. In the midst of a breakout year, it would’ve been all too easy for the guard who averages nearly 20 points per game to just keep to himself and worry about basketball.

But on days like Thursday your mind can’t help but wander. Especially Mitchell’s, who was thinking about his mom — a nursery school teacher. Even Warriors coach Steve Kerr gave another impassioned speech about the gun violence epidemic in America.

The chorus of those who want to see changes to gun laws in this country is growing louder with each mass casualty event.

Mitchell now has a stage to amplify his voice. He made sure he used it.

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Blake Schuster is a writer for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Schustee