Packers vs. Bears: National Anthem Takes Center Stage

GREEN BAY, WI — Last week in a home game against the Bengals, a majority of the Packers stood and linked arms during the national anthem. All but three players stood for the performance.

But last week's demonstration will be carried forward on a much grander scale if quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers get their way.

Rodgers said he wants the capacity crowd of 81,441 to stand and link arms along with the team Thursday night as the Packers take on the Chicago Bears on national television.

“This is about equality,” Rodgers said Tuesday on ESPN. “This is about unity and love and growing together as a society and starting a conversation around something that may be a little bit uncomfortable for people."

"A Conversation You Can't Avoid"

Earlier in the season, Green Bay Packers tight end Martellus Bennett, who was signed in the off-season to bolster the offense, stood with a raised fist during the anthem. Last week, he sat during the anthem with fellow players Lance Kendricks and Kevin King.

"People don't want to talk about racism,” Bennett said in a recent report out of Green Bay. “People don't want to talk about oppression. They want to be oblivious so they don't have to deal with it. And when it comes to sports, people want to be even more distracted from what's really going on in the world."

Bennett’s brother, Seahawks lineman Michael Bennett, says he was held at gunpoint and treated abusively by several Las Vegas police officers on Aug. 26 after a report of gunfire.

Regardless of the social issues that motivate each athlete to make a statement, the feedback hasn't been pretty. When President Donald Trump said that NFL athletes should be fired for their protests, it created a firestorm.

Negative feedback in the Cheesehead state hasn't been too rosy, either. On Tuesday, a local restaurant owner in Racine, Wisconsin, said NFL players should be executed for their protests.

More Police Officers During the Anthem

According to media reports out of Green Bay, the Green Bay police department will have more officers than usual on the field "to make sure the proceedings leading up to kickoff are safe."

During last week's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Green Bay Police Department reported that there were two arrests. Seven people were ejected for various misconduct violations. Proceedings during the national anthem were not disrupted in any way.

Game Information

• Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
• Thurs. Sep. 28, 2017
• 7:25 p.m. Lambeau Field
• Thursday night’s game will be televised to a national audience
• on CBS and NFL Network, as well as streamed on Amazon.
• In Wisconsin, CBS affiliates around the state, including WFRV (Ch. 5) in Green Bay and WDJT (Ch. 58) in Milwaukee, will carry the game.

• Milwaukee’s WTMJ (620 AM) will handle radio broadcast.

Fiery Freedom of Speech

And then there's this guy.

According to a WISN report, an "ex-Green Bay Packers fan" is seen tossing all of his gear — including a Ray Nitschke vintage jersey, a jacket, a Packers flag and a host of other memorabilia — into a fire.

"You'll never get a cent from me or my family ever again as long as we live," the unidentified man said.

Pattie Curran wasn't all that happy, either, as she set her team T-shirt on fire over the team's national anthem stance.

"[I'm] Burning a Green Bay Packers T-shirt because of the snowflake statement made by their CEO in response to players who sit, kneel or don't come to the field during our national anthem. If any of the Packers players disrespect the American flag during their game today, I'm burning all my Packers gear. Already canceled my NFL Network subscription this morning," she posted on Facebook.

Linking Arms

And it's not just the Aaron Rodgers and a select number of players who have made their positions known. The Packers have issued two statements: one regarding President Donald Trump's recent comments condemning NFL players who demonstrate during the anthem, and the second calling for fans to link arms on Thursday.

"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."

The prior week, Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy denounced Trump's remarks against NFL players who protested during the national anthem.

"It's unfortunate that the President decided to use his immense platform to make divisive and offensive statements about our players and the NFL. We strongly believe that players are leaders in our communities and positive influences. They have achieved their positions through tremendous work and dedication and should be celebrated for their success and positive impact. We believe it is important to support any of our players who choose to peacefully express themselves with the hope of change for good. As Americans, we are fortunate to be able to speak openly and freely."

Composite image via Patch file photos