Even though they play in Charlotte, they’re called the Carolina Panthers because they want to appeal to fans both in South and North Carolina. According to the Washingtonpost, Monday, the team waded into the issue that has moved to the forefront in the latter state, joining calls for the removal of the Confederate flag from near the Capitol in Columbia.

Steve Drummond, The Panther’s spokesman, said, “Our organization prides itself on bringing people together.” He added that “Divisive symbols and actions should not stand in conflict progress, healing and the unification of all our citizens.”

This statement from the team came after a mass shooting last week at the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. The Church was attacked by a White Supremacist who went ahead and killed nine black parishioners in the Church. He was later apprehended by the police while driving a car that was bearing a “Confederate States of America” license plate.

On Saturday, hundreds of people marched in Charleston and Columbia to protest the Confederate flag’s continued presence in front of the Capitol building. The flag was decried by many and was moved off the state dome in 2000, as a symbol of racial disharmony. In a reversal of the previously held position, South Carolina Governor, Nikki Haley, called Monday for the flag to be moved off the Capitol ground entirely.

Haley said, “Some divisions are bigger than a flag.” The governor added that “We are not going to allow this symbol to divide us any longer. The fact that people choosing to use it as a sign of hate is something we cannot stand.”

The Panthers held their first training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C, since the team’s birth in 1995; that year they played their home games in Clemson’s Stadium. Monday’s comments were the team’ first regarding the flag issue.