MASCOUTAH, Ill. – Professional football players could take a lesson from this high school football team. It’s a story continuing to spark controversy nearly one week later—NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem last Sunday.

Mascoutah High School Football Team

The Mascoutah High School football team took a stand in a show of solidarity and patriotism during its homecoming game, reported KMOV.

The Mascoutah Indians were handed a loss during the celebrated game drawing alumni to root for their team. Nevertheless, they found joy as a result of the whole team showing unity.

Team Honored Law Enforcement

Prior to the game, each player and member of the coaching staff walked out of the locker room and onto the field with law enforcement. It was a refreshing sight since the cops have “taken it on the chin” from the culture surrounding professional sports.

The diverse military community and team hit the field following the beat of their own drum.

“What it means to me is showing a brotherhood, the friendship and the bond that we have,” said football player Devin Wills.

Two by two, law enforcement officers joined hands with the players and coaching staff, to show the spirit of the small Illinois town.

“You don’t see a lot of small communities, as diverse as we are, with as much to offer. You throw in the military spirit and we get an incredible place. It just gives an opportunity to showcase that,” said Athletic Director Scott Battas.

Mascoutah High School football team honors law enforcement at homecoming game https://t.co/5140caUjvx pic.twitter.com/D42ZGQQovA — KMOV (@KMOV) September 30, 2017

This Was Their Norm

This was not a response to NFL protests. It was simply their norm. School leaders and the team discussed these plans weeks before the Jason Shockley verdict and long before athletes decided to take a knee. Moreover, they simply wanted to impact their community during homecoming.

“I think it is vital to strengthening relationships between police and community because you can’t just show up when a crime is being committed,” said Illinois State Trooper Calvin Dye, Jr.

The show of solidarity continued until all stood together during the band’s playing of the national anthem.

“We respect our first responders. We respect our military. This is a military town. I think it was planned a while back. It is just showing the relationship we have,” said school supporter Brian Uhl.

Regardless of what others think outside Mascoutah, this is simply who they are.

“There is no protest. What we are doing is putting our community on a platform and saying this is what we are,” added Battas.

This was not the first time the football team has honored a specific profession during its homecoming game. The Mascoutah Indians have also honored others like teachers, nurses and the military.

Mascoutens

Mascoutah is a small city in St. Clair County, Illinois; it is named for the Mascoutens, a tribe of the Illinois Indians, according to city history. The population was 7,483 at the 2010 census. It is about 29 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri.

Mascoutah is home to Mid America Airport. Nearby Scott AFB is a major employer and base residents attend school in the small town.

(Photo: Screenshot KMOV news broadcast)