The Green Bay Packers - like every NFL team before them and after them - had a plan. They were going to link arms when the familiar tones of the National Anthem began to play prior to their Thursday night game against the Chicago Bears. It was a good plan, albeit one that was going to draw the same criticism other shows of unity have drawn in the past week. The current political landscape is fraught with landmines for public figures. Green Bay did a remarkable job of trying to set the stage for the rest of the league this week.
The Packers unite
Before the national anthem, everyone on the Green Bay sideline linked arms, as planned.
Everyone on the Chicago Bears sideline did the same. It didn't appear as if any player showed any visible demonstration as country star Tyler Farr sang the national anthem. Some players sang and others didn't. Some bowed their heads, while others raised them proudly. The show of unity was certainly respectful. Will President Trump complain about this as well?
The fans weren't as thrilled by the show. There wasn't as much booing as there was last week, but there were still scattered jeers. Many fans started a "U-S-A" cheer that reverberated around Lambeau Field. Most notably, most fans didn't link arms in the stands, though some did (the telecast showed a man with a beer linked with a man who was seemingly holding a pizza box - perhaps an honest depiction of the country).
Earlier in the week, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers asked for fans to join the team's unity demonstration during the national anthem - it wasn't meant to be.
Then, Green Bay disperses
The national anthem wasn't a divisive moment of the evening for Packers supporters. That moment came about 45 minutes later, when a thunderstorm entered the region.
Suddenly, fans went running towards the shelter of the concourse - well, most fans anyway. Some clearly were interested in dangerously sticking it out in their seats.
The inclement weather arrived immediately after the first quarter, when Green Bay held a 14-0 lead. The game entered a lengthy delay that lasted about 45 minutes.
During that time, players stayed in their locker rooms, reportedly talking about the game and trying to stay relatively loose. The winner of the storm? New broadcaster Tony Romo, who seemed to be having the time of his post-professional career commentating on the thunderstorm as it rolled into the stadium. If only the rest of the Packers were having that much fun.
