Four hours west from East Carolina University, the site where UCF football will play on Saturday, sits a city grappling with the controversial shooting of Keith Lamont. Lamont, a 43-year-old black man, was killed by a Charlotte police officer, who also is black.
The shooting sparked protests from citizens and further fueled a passionate national debate about the use of deadly police force against the black community.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick helped thrust the protests into the sports spotlight when he decided to sit and later kneel during the national anthem. In recent weeks, a wave of athletes ranging from the high school to professional levels have joined Kaepernick.