Before Saturday evening’s Big Ten football opener, Northwestern Wildcat team members will wear pregame t-shirts with a fist icon and the message “True change will only come once everyone in this country feels the same outrage as Black people.”
The shirts are part of the Big Ten’s “United as One” campaign. All conference teams will have some sort of social justice message this opening weekend, such as helmet logos, themed pregame shirts or uniform patches.
According to the Big Ten, Northwestern’s opponent, the Maryland Terrapins, will replace the “O” in “One Terp” with a raised fist. The conference release also says ideals of equality and justice and the phrases “End Racism” and “In Solidarity” will be “shared via nameplate messages and field markings.”
The Northwestern-Maryland game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at Ryan Field. The Big Ten season is starting late and will be shortened due to Covid-19. Each team will play eight conference games, followed by the Big Ten championship or a bonus game for teams not in championship matchup.
Other than family members of players and coaches, no spectators will be allowed at the games.