When Wisconsin football takes the field tonight on national TV, a small symbol on the back of their helmets will represent the ongoing fight for racial justice in the Madison, Wisconsin community, the country, and the globe.
In conjunction with marches, conversations, and attempts to create substantial policy change within the university, a number of Wisconsin athletes publicly shared that they wanted a black “W” on their helmets as a show of ‘support, inclusion, and unity’ at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The black “W” that the student-athletes chose comes from the university crest and not from an athletics logo, which was a deliberate decision. They made it clear that they were not only standing for athletes, but for all students across the UW-Madison campus.
“I have previously stated my commitment to taking meaningful steps involving issues of diversity and inclusion in our athletic department,” athletic director Barry Alvarez said in a July news release. “There is plenty of work to do, but I am pleased we will be able to show our support in a way that is important to our student-athletes.”
Here is just a glimpse at what this symbol means to the players:
You'll see something new on our helmets tonight.
It's a symbol of student-athletes raising their voices for unity.
It's a symbol of using a platform to inspire change. pic.twitter.com/JJWjZpvbod
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 23, 2020
Wisconsin football is ready to wear their helmets with pride:
We wear it with pride. pic.twitter.com/9Im5kGBDjh
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 23, 2020