Illinois high school football players take a stand to defend the police

An Illinois high school football team honored police officers before one of their games in a reverse display of what is happening in the NFL.

What did they do?

The Mascoutah, Illinois, team honored first responders at their homecoming game by marching onto the field hand-in-hand with firefighters, police and sheriff officers. Other players held the American flag high and walked alongside the march.

While on the field, they stood together as the national anthem was played.

Was this a response to NFL players protesting?

Athletic Director Scott Battas says the demonstration has been planned for weeks, and accidentally coincided with NFL players ramping up their protests after President Trump's criticism.

"We don't see anything but people, and I think that's the most important message that we've been able to send," he explained.

Here's video of the pro-police demonstration:

Here's a Fox News report on the demonstration:

High School Football Players Honor Police at Game pic.twitter.com/seOyBdgOwU

— Fox News (@FoxNews)

September 30, 2017

What was the final score of the game?

Mascoutah lost to Triad, 24-7.