Wednesday 27 September 2017 12:53, UK
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."
Week Four in the NFL begins on Thursday night when Green Bay host Chicago and you can watch on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 12.30am
