Sunday's game: Chicago State at No. 21 Purdue, 4 p.m.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Prior to making an athletic statement in its season opener against SIU-Edwardsville, Purdue men's basketball players sought to make a more personal one.

Purdue's players wore special long-sleeved black shooting shirts while warming up prior to their 105-74 victory at Mackey Arena.

On each shirt, white letters spelled out one of the 14 words the players brainstormed during a recent team meeting. Those words range from "equality," "tolerance" and "justice" to "humility," "friendship" and "love."

The team's Twitter account posted a list of all 14 words prior to the game, along with a quote: "These are traits and qualities that we as humans need more of and need to show to others on a daily basis.”

Purdue senior captain Vincent Edwards said after the game the team made the shirts as a response to "some things we're struggling with as a country." He said each player offered two words during a meeting, and the team voted on its favorites.

Edwards said the team expected to wear the shooting shirts throughout the season.

"We’re just trying to spread a message to the world that we need to be one," Edwards sad. "Every single word you saw meant something for that."

Edwards didn't mention any specific events or issues that the team hoped to address.

Political divisions have encroached into sports more in recent months. Most notably, NFL players knelt during the pregame national anthem to protest racial inequalities and police violence against minorities. In response they encountered criticism from President Donald Trump and fans.

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Purdue isn't the only team addressing the current atmosphere of divisiveness. Michigan State players wore warm-up shirts that read, "We talk, we listen," on the front and "it's not about me, it's about us" on the back.

Edwards said the Boilermakers hoped to use their stage to spread a message of positivity. The initiative shown by the players impressed coach Matt Painter.

"Any time you have things of that nature and it's a collective thought, it's good for your team. It's good for the chemistry of your team," Painter said. "It shows young people are aware and understand and get it.

"A lot of times as an adult you can learn a lot from your players. You have to shut up sometimes and listen."