Posted on 09/27/2017 3:06:13 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Green Bay Packers have called on fans to join in with the team and link arms during Thursday's playing of the national anthem ahead of their clash with Chicago.
President Trump's latest comments on Tuesday have added to an already tense situation and players protests reached unprecedented levels at the weekend when more than 200 players took a knee during the playing of 'The Star Spangled Banner'.
On Thursday, all eyes will be on Lambeau Field when the Packers and Bears face off in the first game of Week Four to see how the next stage of the protest plays out.
Before Sunday's victory over Cincinnati, Lance Kendricks, Martellus Bennett and Kevin King sat on the bench as the anthem played, other players stood alone while the rest of the players stood arm-in-arm - the result of a team meeting on Saturday night that allowed each player the freedom to do as they saw fit.
Ahead of Thursday's game, the Packers released a statement from the players speaking of their unity and calling for a show of solidarity by asking the fans to join them.
"This Thursday during the national anthem at Lambeau Field, Packers players, coaches and staff will join together with arms intertwined," the statement read. "When we take this action, what you will see will be so much more than just a bunch of football players locking arms. The image you will see on September 28th will be one of unity.
"It will represent a coming together of players who want the same things that all of us do - freedom, equality, tolerance, understanding, and justice for those who have been unjustly treated, discriminated against or otherwise treated unfairly.
"You will see the sons of police officers, kids who grew up in military families, people who have themselves experienced injustice and discrimination firsthand, and an array of others all linking together in a display of unity.
"Those of us joining arms on Thursday will be different in so many ways, but one thing that binds us together is that we are all individuals who want to help make our society, our country and our world a better place. We believe that in diversity there can be UNI-versity. Intertwined, we represent the many people who helped build this country, and we are joining together to show that we are ready to continue to build.
"Let's work together to build a society that is more fair and just. Join us this Thursday by locking arms with whoever you're with, stranger or loved one, wherever you are -- intertwined and included -- in this moment of unification."
In a statement on Saturday, following Trump's initial comments, Packers president Mark Murphy had called the president's words 'divisive', while quarterback Aaron Rodgers told the press after Sunday's game they would 'keep choosing love over hate and unity over division', and the players' statement reaffirms that belief.
"Aaron spoke first and he kind of laid it out and laid out the fact that he's on our side and he understands the message being conveyed and trying to get across," Kendricks said of a team meeting.
"And then Marty wrote a statement and in the statement he said we're going to lock arms and he's going to challenge the fans to lock arms as well, so it kind of puts them in a position where it's like, 'Look you're either going to unite with us or you're not.'
"I think that's really cool because it puts them in a position where it's like now we're talking to you, so you make a decision, peacefully make a decision."
they think they are so popular and big, that the fans will never leave them...its gone to their heads. They cant understand they are just a football league, not a social justice platform...even to the preachy announcers they employ. This has been building for years..and a gun incident, sure enough, theres Bob Costas on SNF preaching his anti gun garbage. Looks like its finally reached a tipping point...if i was Trump, id keep trolling them and blasting them....they are so full of hate, they wont think and just keep on doing it. Look how twisted Trump has Lebron James. I really think Trump can finish this league off.Hes boxed them in...either they stop and he declares victory, which would kill them...or they get madder and dig deeper. The guy is a political genious..one of a kind. They flew off the handle Sunday, the perfect Trump trap, and now the panic is setting in. I saw Pete Carroll on CNN tonight, tap dancing like crazy...he looked scared s#@$$less.....
Obama is behind all this and pulling the strings from behind the curtain.
Now the left er the NFL wants to change what happened when they took a knee.
Screw the NFL
>I can’t get out of my head, this ridiculous Jerry Jones having his whole team take a knee then standing for the Anthem.>
He’s going to hear it today. Not too many fans will be coming over to say “thanks for doing us a solid, Jerry!”
Instead, he’ll hear from lifelong fans saying. “You’re nothing but a sellout, you mf. We’re ashamed to know you!”
If the fans really want to piss of the NFL and the players they can chant “CTE, CTE, CTE”.
Remove your hat, hand over your heart. What is this arm in arm BS. Someone next to me tries to get me to go arm in arm I’ll trll ‘em to bug off.
This is so much insanity. Just play the game. Im not at a game for a love fest. Actually, Im not at a game, not watching. Arm in arm. Hillarious.
Pampered, pompous, pathetic, unpatriotic football players.
Spit.
illegal formation...you shat in your beds...deal with it...
“On Thursday, all eyes will be on Lambeau Field when the Packers and Bears face off “
Not mine.
L
I think there are a lot of NFL fans out there who realize deep inside that their fixation on pro football has gotten excessive, and unhealthy for them. These people probably see this as an excuse to walk away from the NFL, and an opportunity to do it in a principled, "graceful" way that their peers will understand.
To quote (or paraphrase) that Freeper ... "Colin Kaepernick's biggest crime is that he reminded us how much we don't like the NFL."
Looks like you're either going to make things worse, or make things worse, CTEen Bay Packers...
Absolultely! If my beloved Packers join arms rather than place their hand over their heart and stand at attention for our National Anthem I am done with them. It’s a sad time in our nation.
I heard Joe Lockhart’s name mentioned as an NFL spokesman. That rang a bell and sure enough Old Joe Lockhart worked in BC WH, advised John Kerry when he ran for Pres., worked for Mondale, Dukakis and Facebook. He was involved with the fake story involving CBS and national guard and Bill Burkett about GWB. ALSO, the Obamas bought his house in DC. Political NFL?
I wouldn’t be at the game to begin with and I’m already declining free December Bronco tickets... But if anyone tried linking arms with me, under these circumstances, there would be a shocking verbal admonishment. I know many here wouldn’t be as nice - so I expect hundreds of elbows to be flying into shoulders, in response to any unsolicited linking.
If you link arms, you can’t put your hand over your heart - they want the stadium to “unite” with the team instead of with the nation.....
If people switched to soccer, our teams would go on to play against those of other nations. In light of the media trying to play up Kim Jong Un as the grownup in the room, there is no certainty that they wouldn’t cheer for the other team. But maybe...
1980 - “Are you ready for some football!”
2017 - “Are you ready to renounce your privilege!”
he’s going to challenge the fans to lock arms as well, so it kind of puts them in a position where it’s like, ‘Look you’re either going to unite with us or you’re not.’
So you want to “force” me to chose between you or my Country? You did not need to try and force that. Just ask. I will gladly tell you that I will stand for my Country any and everyday before I kneel with a footballer in disrespect for it!
Don’t touch me man!
I am sure all 10 of the fans present will be happy to do so.
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