The NFL family is one of the most diverse communities in the world. Just look around! The eclectic group of players that you root for, the coaches you admire, the people you sit next to in the stands, those high-fiving on military bases, fans at the sports bar or during tailgate parties—we all come from different walks of life and have unique backgrounds and stories.

The game of football brings people together. As NFL players, we are a living testimony that individuals from different backgrounds and with different life experiences can work together toward a common goal.

This Thursday during the national anthem at Lambeau Field, Packers players, coaches and staff will join together with arms intertwined—connected like the threads on your favorite jersey. 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.



http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-press-release/article-1/Statement-from-the-Green-Bay-Packers-players/d745d3ad-bfa7-4e74-9130-b3180b0171be#ixzz4ttXd8nIl 

Again, tell ANYONE that's pulled over by the police to do what the cop tells you to do. Then you won't end up shot.

Originally Posted by: Cheesey 

The police dashcam video[30] shows that 40 seconds elapsed between when Yanez first started talking to Castile through the car window and when Yanez began shooting at him. According to the dashcam, after Yanez asked for Castile's driver's license and proof of insurance, Castile gave him his proof of insurance card, which Yanez appeared to glance at and tuck in his outer pocket. Castile then calmly informed Yanez: "Sir, I have to tell you that I do have a firearm on me."[31] Quoting the Star Tribune description of the next 13 seconds of the audio/video:

Before Castile completed the sentence, Yanez interrupted and calmly replied, 'OK', and placed his right hand on the holster of his own holstered weapon. Yanez said, 'Okay, don't reach for it, then.' Castile responded, 'I'm not pulling it out,' and Reynolds also said, 'He's not pulling it out.' Yanez screamed, 'Don't pull it out!' Yanez quickly pulled his own gun with his right hand while he reached inside the driver's window with his left hand. Yanez removed his left arm from the car and fired seven shots in the direction of Castile in rapid succession. Reynolds yelled, 'You just killed my boyfriend!' Castile moaned and said, 'I wasn't reaching for it.' Reynolds loudly said, 'He wasn't reaching for it.' Before she completed her sentence, Yanez again screamed, 'Don't pull it out!' Reynolds responded, 'He wasn't.' Yanez yelled, 'Don't move! Fuck!'[31]

The events that occurred immediately following the shooting were streamed live in a 10-minute video by Reynolds via Facebook.[5] The recording appears to begin seconds after Castile was shot, just after 9:00 p.m. CDT.[4] The video depicts Castile slumped over, moaning and moving slightly, with a bloodied left arm and side.[5] In the video, Reynolds is speaking with Yanez and explaining what happened. Reynolds stated on the video that Yanez "asked him for license and registration. He told him that it was in his wallet, but he had a pistol on him because he's licensed to carry." Castile did have a license to carry a gun.[33] Reynolds further narrated that the officer said, "Don't move" and as Castile was putting his hands back up, the officer shot him in the arm four or five times. Reynolds told the officer, "You shot four bullets into him, sir. He was just getting his license and registration, sir."[1][7] Reynolds also said "Please don't tell me he's dead," while Yanez exclaims: "I told him not to reach for it! I told him to get his hand open!"[25]

Two tours in Afghanistan, lifelong Packer fan.

Attended son's local high school game on Friday and had my hand over my heart thinking of 2 friends killed during second tour. Do that pretty much every time the anthem comes on.

Don't care if players protest the anthem that is their right as long as the Packers support them.

Have tickets for Packers-Ravens in November.

If this fans are supposed to lock-arms kumbaya is a one time thing, I'll ignore it and move on.

If come November I am expected to lock arms and not put my hand over my heart during the anthem at Lambeau or face blowback for not displaying sufficient "unity" with the players over their protests, I will donate the tickets to a local Green Bay charity.

I will not have the Green Bay Packers or anyone else dictate how I am supposed to act when the anthem is played.

Originally Posted by: RichMcGeorge 

I am proud of how the Packers team and front office is handling this situation. As a Veteran never have I been hurt or offended that they sit or kneel. I see people in the stands at every professional game I’ve ever been to sitting or talking during the National Anthem. The point of defending freedom and democracy is that everyone has the right to express their opinion. Even if that opinion upsets me.

This is not the fight to have if you are worried about Veterans. Fight for improved VA care, for better equipment and armor for active troops, for recognition, acceptance, and awareness of all types of battle scars, for the 22 Veterans a day that loose their lives to despair and hopelessness.

I don’t care if you stand or sit for a song. If we’re being honest most of us are drinking, talking, or are betting how how long they hold that note. Define your patriotism by how you take care of those that have borne the battle, not by how great you are for standing and taking your hat off for a few minutes.

Time for a comment from my son.
For those who don't know or may have forgotten, Dave served in Afghanistan. He joined after 9-11. He was out in the field not sitting on base. During his tour he earned several citations and a Purple Heart when a suicide driver decided to hit his Humvee. Because he feels most people in the VA don't know how to properly deal with PTSD he changed his major and became a Social Worker dealing with other Vets.


Not too many people get a call at 3:17 in the morning. When you hear the words, "Um, Dad? First of all, I'm ok." It's an experience I will never forget.
Compared to this or parents watching their 2 yo slowly die from cancer or a hundred billion other things, I don't really care if some 25 yo stands, sits or takes a knee.
My son and more than a million other men and women SPILLED THEIR BLOOD TO GIVE THEM THAT RIGHT. You don't have to like it. I don't.

My wife sobs every time the jets fly overhead. I hate the fireworks that explode during the song. It's like a knife in my heart every single time. All I can think of is, "Thank you Lord we are blessed not to be Gold Star parents." Not once do I begrudge Bennett for sitting down.

Originally Posted by: wpr