Illinois Fighting Illini Football • Illinois • Social justice • Josh Whitman • Wisconsin Badgers football • Lovie Smith • Big Ten Conference
Pair of college teams among those promoting social justice awareness on helmets, uniforms
Members of the Illinois football team have been using their voices and platforms throughout the year to promote racial equality and social justice. The team will continue to bring awareness to those issues throughout the season.
In the Big Ten opener against Wisconsin on Friday night, the Illini plan to wear black Block I decals on their helmets, replacing the traditional orange and blue Block I. In addition to the black Block I, the Illini will include a black fist decal on the back of their helmets, as well as one of five messages on the rear bumper. Players will choose between Black Lives Matter, I Fight Against Racism, Together, Equality, or United.
Illinois will wear black I decals in the season opener against Wisconsin (Illinois Athletics)
These changes come following a peaceful march on Aug. 31, which was organized by Illinois players Kendrick Green and Nate Hobbs. As a team captain, Hobbs stated in September that the team would continue to use their platform in the season opener.
“We wanted to show that we are aware of what’s happening in our country right now,” Hobbs said. “We’re willing to take a stand, not as one, but as a unit.”
“Having the Black I on our helmets for this first game is a symbol of unity and that this team stands for the Black Lives Matter movement,” said senior linebacker Milo Eifler.
“What’s understood doesn’t need to be explained, but there are still problems out in this world with racism and unity,” said senior defensive lineman Jamal Woods.
The new helmet decals were chosen by Illinois players and approved by Illinois head football coach Lovie Smith, as well as Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman.
“To see our players come together in support of their teammates has been extremely rewarding and speaks to the culture we are trying to create in our locker room,” said Smith. “Our team’s leaders did exactly what we expect them to do, which was to bring their teammates together around a common voice and message.”
“Our primary mission in Illinois Athletics is to educate the men and women who choose to join our program,” said Whitman. “Much of this education occurs outside the four walls of the classroom as our student-athletes learn to interact with, and influence, the world around them. I am proud that they continue to wrestle with the hard issues facing our society and to use their platform for positive change. We remain steadfast in supporting their efforts, on the field and off, and I hope others will do the same.”
In a press release, Illinois Athletics stated that these initiatives are not supportive of any particular organization, but a belief in equality for all individuals.
Players for the University of Maryland football team have made the choice to replace their names on their jerseys with statements about the fight for racial justice. Their season starts Saturday at Northwestern with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
Equality, Unity, Respect, Justice and Empathy are a few of the expressions players have chosen.
"I chose 'Empathy' because with an issue like this, or really any issue at all, you have to be able to understand the other side of a problem to kind of relate with that problem," said junior wide receiver Brian Cobb in a Maryland Football tweet.
Junior wide receiver Darryl Jones will wear 'Equality' on his jersey.
"I want everyone that looks like me to have that step up in order to start at the same playing field as everyone else,” said Jones.
Players will also have to option to wear warm-up shirts with the same expressions, and two others, "I Got Your Back" and "Speak Up."
All expressions were created by University of Maryland student athletes.
“At the University of Maryland we are focused on supporting our student-athletes, allowing them to start important conversations on critical issues and amplifying their voices,” said Athletic Director Damon Evans in a school-issued release. “This Saturday we will introduce student-driven initiatives as our players will make personal statements about the fight for justice. It fills me with great pride to see the passion our student-athletes have, to take a stance and be vocal about issues that matter to them.”
“Having an athletic department that supports us and allows us to showcase these initiatives is huge for me and my teammates,” said Cobbs. “We have a lot of thoughts and opinions that we want to express. Being heard is the most important thing because many times student-athletes don’t feel like they are being heard and being able to use these platforms and connect with everyone is really important.”
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