ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Fans flocked to area sports bars to watch the Packers take the field for the first game of the season.
“We’re here to cheer on the boys and have a really good time,” Green Bay resident John Lehman said.
“I’m glad to have sports back. It’s been too long,” Green Bay resident Kyle Lemerond said.
Sports bars, like Stadium View in Ashwaubenon, are happy to see days like this again.
“I feel like we knew we would have a really nice crowd of people that have just been waiting for this. We’ve all been waiting,” Stadium View owner Amanda Watson said.
While the Packers took the field for the game, they did not for both of the national anthems.
The Packers decided to stay in the locker room for both the national anthem and what’s being called the black national anthem.
In a statement from Packers President Mark Murphy:
“The Green Bay Packers respect the national anthem and United States flag and all that they represent, including the right to express ourselves.” He stated the Packers stayed in the locker room “as to not distract from our message that we stand united for social justice and racial equality. He says, “This is part of our continued call on our leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue that results in change. We feel it is important for all of us to participate in these difficult conversations with humility and be open to different perspectives.”
Packers wide receiver Davante Adams explained why the team made this decision.
“We just wanted to make sure we stayed together. Kept the focus on what it was, because you get out there and guys are kneeling, guys not, and whatever. We didn’t want anybody to take off with it and give a new meaning of what we were trying to do.”
Some fans tell FOX 11 they stand by the decision.
“They want to set a good tone for social justice issues going around. If that’s what the team wanted to do, that’s awesome. I’ll stand with them on that.”.
Others fans disagree.
“That’s not good. That’s not a good look. I feel like we have a lot of rights. We have a lot of freedom,” another fan said.
The Packers weren’t the only team that decided to stay in the locker room during the anthems.
Other teams partook in different types of protest throughout the week.
In addition, the Packers also revealed “End Racism” shirts on their social media accounts.
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