As sections of their city tremble after consecutive nights of civil unrest, the Carolina Panthers on Thursday vowed to play peacemakers.
They won't be locking arms with the peaceful protesters outraged by the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott, nor will they add to the violence that led Gov. Pat McCrory to declare a state of emergency in Charlotte. Instead, the Panthers hope to bring people together when they host the Vikings Bank of America Stadium this weekend.
"Our job is to play football," fullback Mike Tolbert said Thursday. "Football is entertainment to a lot of people, not just in Charlotte but around the world. So with the terrible things that are going on right now, we're going to go out and bring out a little bit of enlightenment to the community."
Peaceful protests that began shortly after Scott's death on Tuesday turned ugly later that night, with riots and looting picking back up Wednesday. Despite the arrival of the National Guard, there are concerns that police and security will be able to cover potential trouble spots in the city and a crowd of over 70,000 at Bank of America Stadium.
But the Panthers and the NFL each released statements Thursday declaring their intentions to keep the game in Charlotte. While switching the site isn't currently a serious option, those plans could change if the city is rocked by another night of violence.
While the two situations are vastly different, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera experienced game week uncertainty nine years ago as an assistant with the Chargers. With wildfires raging through San Diego County, the team had to move its practices to Phoenix. But they returned to Qualcomm Stadium that weekend and beat the Texans, 35-10.
"I know this is different to a degree, but playing that game I thought brought a little bit of normalcy to the city," Rivera said. "I think we can do that for this community."
Not surprisingly, none of the Panthers who talked with reporters Thursday second-guessed the decision to keep the game in town. But at least one admitted he's encouraging his family to do things a bit differently beforehand.
"My wife usually takes the kids Uptown and they tailgate with my family and friends," tight end Greg Olsen shared.
"I said, 'Maybe this week, just come to the game, park in our lot and go up to your seats and get settled in. Is it worth just moseying around town in such a heightened state of kind of chaos?'"
While some concern themselves with the safety of their families, others are wondering how loud they should be with their opinions.
Tensions surrounding Scott's shooting are raised in the context of the ongoing protest by 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. All of the Panthers have stood for the national before each of their first two games, but with the issue hitting so close to home this week, safety Tre Boston is at least somewhat reconsidering.
"I have to do more research," he said. "I have to talk to some people to see if that's the best thing for me to do.
"Everybody's still mad at him for trying to stand up for something that is happening in this world. So do I see myself taking that knee? I don't know."
Right now, the Panthers hope Boston can make that choice at his own stadium. And he will, as long as the peace is kept over the next three nights and police believe they can protect fans at the game and citizens around Charlotte.
"If you look at the way the South is and the way the game of football is, it has a unique way of bringing people together," linebacker Thomas Davis said.
"This is a tough time right now in our community in our city, and we need something that's going to bring people together."