The decision of a grand jury to not indict to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner has triggered responses all across the United States, prompting some of the most visible figures in the country to rally in support of the now deceased Garner; athletes.

Only days after Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose wore a shirt that read ‘I Can’t Breathe’ on the front, referencing the words Garner uttered while being placed in a chokehold by Officer Pantaleo, Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush, has done the same. On Sunday (Dec. 7), while warming up for the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Reggie Bush took the field with the words written in large black letters on his shirt, joining in the rallying cry that many others in this country have uttered in the aftermath of the grand jury’s controversial decision.

Bush was not the only NFL player this past Sunday to publicly protest the grand jury’s decision to not indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo. Cleveland Browns cornerback Johnson Bademosi and St. Louis Rams offensive lineman Davin Joseph also voiced their displeasure with the decision, with Joseph writing the ‘I Can’t Breathe’ message on his cleats, and Bademosi writing it on his chest. In addition, Washington Redskins defensive lineman Chris Baker performed the “hands up, don’t shoot” gesture, the symbol made famous after the Michael Brown incident, after recording a sack against the Rams.

Just last week, five of St. Louis’ receivers – Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Kenny Britt, Jared Cook and Chris Givens – performed the “hands up, don’t shoot’ gesture as they exited the tunnel before their game against the Oakland Raiders.

It is hard to remember the last time a social issue prompted so many athletes to take such a stand, publicly expressing their displeasure at an issue that has caused many to question the justice system of the United States as a whole. In a world where many believe that athletes who are paid multi-million dollar contracts begin to lose touch with the rest of the world, it is interesting to see so many who are willing to stand up for what they believe in; in spite the issues that may arise with their multi-billion dollar employers.