WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The fans packing Mackey Arena tonight are coming to watch Purdue play high-level basketball against nationally ranked Louisville (8 p.m. ET on ESPN).
But when the Boilermakers take the court for warm-ups, the crowd will notice something else, something the players believe ought to be seen, something that goes beyond ball. Each of Purdue's 14 players will wear a shirt containing a word, selected by either himself or a teammate, that they hope helps mend a splintering country. It's not as divisive as an anthem protest, but the Boilermakers are choosing not to stick to sports, while using their sporting platform to push values they believe makes the world a bit better.