The helmets of the Illinois football team will have a black Block I logo instead of the usual orange and blue during Friday’s season-opening game against Wisconsin to help promote social justice awareness.
Friday and the rest of the season, Illini helmets will have a Black fist decal on the back. Players brought the idea to coach Lovie Smith and athletic director Josh Whitman, who OK’d the helmet updates, the university said in a press release.
Players will also have one of five messages on the back of their helmets: Black Lives Matter, I Fight Against Racism, Together, Equality or United.
Our student-athletes have driven an initiative to wear a solid black Block I decal on our helmets for the season opener at Wisconsin.
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 22, 2020
The helmet is another example of our student-athletes continued advocacy for social change.
Together, we can make a difference. #JointheFight pic.twitter.com/vq4XQSrUyV
“We wanted to show that we are aware of what’s happening in our country right now,” senior cornerback Nate Hobbs said in a statement from the school. “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,” senior linebacker Milo Eifler said.
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