NFL to air unity commercial during Sunday Night Football (Video)

In keeping with a theme of unity that has been expressed by NFL players and teams, the league will air a specially-produced commercial to NBC’s prime time audience on Sunday.

As responses to comments by Donald Trump about NFL players who have participated in national anthem protests continue, the NFL is adding to its own reply with a special television ad.

According to Brian Stelter of CNN, the NFL has produced the commercial specifically for the SNF game in response to Trump’s comments. It could be the ultimate expression of the united stance several league officials, team owners and head coaches have already taken part in.

It’s well in keeping with the theme that many of these statements have held. A Facebook post by New England quarterback Tom Brady, a planned protest during the Sunday night game by the visiting Oakland Raiders offensive linemen and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to stay in the locker room during the anthem in Chicago are examples of this.

The ad, which will run for a full minute, comes with a title of “Inside These Lines” and was narrated by Forest Whitaker.

The text of the voice-over reads as follows:

"Inside these lines, we don’t have to come from the same place to help each other reach the same destination.Inside these lines, we may have our differences, but recognize there’s more that unites us.Inside these lines, it’s a game of inches, and there’s no such thing as an easy yard when you’re fighting to move forward.Inside these lines, we’re not only defined by our victories, but by the way we handle our defeats.Inside these lines, we can bring out the best in each other,And live united–Inside these lines."

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The aim of the NFL is to avoid alienating any part of its fan base while still presenting a response to Trump’s comments. Whether or not they will succeed in that endeavor remains to be seen, but what’s clear is that silence was not an option for the league.