GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Many people have come out, particularly on social media, saying they plan to boycott the NFL and the Green Bay Packers due to stances being taken by the league and athletes that differ from their own beliefs. The Packers recently released statements regarding their support of social justice and racial equality issues.
But the league and the team have a message in response to that particular group: Take a breath. Listen to what the other side has to say – and thoughtfully share your well-formed opinions.
“What we want to do is just remind them that these players in the organization feel strongly about the ability that this platform has to make people aware of these issues that we’re facing as a community as a society,” said Packers Director of Public Affairs Aaron Popkey. “[We] encourage everyone to approach and engage in these difficult conversations with humility…Really need to be open to those perspectives and just understand that there are others in our communities who feel very strongly about the issues that we’re facing and just be open-minded about that.”
The organization explains that the point of sharing their side is to encourage leaders, and everyone else, to take a look at the issues at hand and take action when deemed appropriate.
There was also opposition to the team’s decision to remain in the locker room during the National Anthem prior to Sunday’s game in Minnesota.
“By not going out during the anthem, they don’t want to have any distraction out there about what they’re trying to say. They don’t want to confuse it with the anthem or Lift Every Voice and Sing, and what those songs represent,” Popkey said. “The issue is different from that, so that’s why they chose to do that as an organization. We really, truly believe that it is an opportunity to discuss those issues.”
Ultimately, many of those who oppose the stances being publicized by the team share a general message – keep societal issues and politics out of sports. The team, once again, respectfully disagrees.
“Sports has a history of being at the forefront of these discussions. Even going back to Vince Lombardi when he was coaching – fighting for rights for black players in the community and proper treatment and those types of things,” Popkey pointed out. “It does have an opportunity to at least remind people of the conversations, the difficult conversations, that need to be had.”
The Packers host the Detroit Lions at an empty Lambeau Field at noon this Sunday. It remains unclear if the team plans to remain in the locker room during the anthem again this week.
