The Green Bay Packers asked fans to link arms during the national anthem at Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Bears to show “unity.” If the footage from the song’s performance is any indication, fans largely ignored that request.
Quarterback Aaron Rogers even made a personal request, saying “we’ve got to come together and talk about these things and grow as a community, as a connected group of individuals in our society, and we’re going to continue to show love and unity, and this week we’re going to ask the fans to join in as well and come together and show people that we can be connected and we can grow together.”
The game was broadcast on the NFL Network, and the cameras panned the crowd during the anthem but only managed to capture a few people linking arms. Throughout most of the song, performed by country singer Tyler Farr, the cameras did not show close shots of the crowd. When they did, the crowd at Lambeau Field was mostly seen standing with their hands over their hearts with a few in attendance saluting.
The players and coaches for both teams, on the other hand, stood with their arms locked together for the entire song. Some players also stretched their arms to place their hands over their hearts.
Watch:
Announcer Jim Nance told the audience, however, “Well, there you saw, just as Rodgers had asked for, a demonstration of love and unity. And I’m sure you heard the chant throughout Lanbeau, ‘USA,’ before the anthem.”
WATCH STEELERS STAY IN LOCKER ROOM FOR NATIONAL ANTHEM: