Missouri State football didn't practice on Thursday in response to the Jacob Blake shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Bears' head coach Bobby Petrino tweeted Thursday night: "I respect my players' decision to not practice today. Our staff and players are united as we continue to fight for racial equality."
Petrino has been outspoken in recent months on racial injustices in America. The coach held a lengthy team meeting following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the accompanying protests across the country.
The Bears' new head coach posted a photo on Twitter of his daughter along with her four biracial children holding signs reading "I am George Floyd," "I am Breonna Taylor," "I am Ahmaud Arbery," "I can't Breathe," "Black Lives Matter" and "Am I next?