Opposing NBA Teams Unite To Wear Stephon Clark Shirts

The Boston Celtics played the hometown Kings in Sacramento, California, on Sunday, but before the game they were on the same team.

Members of both NBA squads wore black T-shirts calling attention to the police shooting death of Stephon Clark on March 18, Sacramento’s CBS affiliate reported. “Accountability. We are one,” the front side of the shirts read, while the back was emblazoned with #StephonClark.”

Two Sacramento police officers shot 20 rounds at Clark, a 22-year-old unarmed black man and father of two, in his backyard after a foot chase with cops who were investigating break-ins in the neighborhood. Police officials have said the officers believed they saw Clark with a gun, but he was carrying only a cellphone.

The basketball players also came together to produce a public service video demanding law enforcement accountability. Some players then repeat Clark’s name.

Kings player development staffer Akachi Okugo came up with the shirt idea, but Kings guard Garrett Temple made sure there was follow-through, the CBS station said.

Police have “probably the toughest job in America and I applaud them for putting their lives on the line every night, every day, but with that comes responsibility,” Temple said, per NBA.com. “That’s the mantle that they carry and the burden that they bear.”

The Sacramento Kings' Justin Jackson and Vince Carter wear their Stephon Clark shirts during warmups. (Photo: Sacramento Bee via Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings' Justin Jackson and Vince Carter wear their Stephon Clark shirts during warmups. (Photo: Sacramento Bee via Getty Images)

The Celtics’ Jaylen Brown told reporters, per USA Today, “As NBA players and people of influence, we have to continue to speak up about things and continue to serve as part of change.”

In a game at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center on Thursday, Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé called for unity and expressed condolences to Clark’s family. The Kings played before a sparse crowd because protests outside the arena over Clark’s shooting forced a lockdown.

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A California Highway Patrol officer is confronted by a Black Lives Matter protester during a demonstration Thursday in Sacramento, California.
A California Highway Patrol officer is confronted by a Black Lives Matter protester during a demonstration Thursday in Sacramento, California.
Protesters chanted outside of City Hall.
Protesters chanted outside of City Hall.
A young girl wears a shirt with an image of Stephon Clark.
A young girl wears a shirt with an image of Stephon Clark.
Veronica Curry, front with hoop earrings, raises her fist with other Black Lives Matter supporters.
Veronica Curry, front with hoop earrings, raises her fist with other Black Lives Matter supporters.
A protester holds a photo of Stephon Clark during a Black Lives Matter demonstration outside of Sacramento City Hall.
A protester holds a photo of Stephon Clark during a Black Lives Matter demonstration outside of Sacramento City Hall.
A protester carries an umbrella as he marches during a protest of the police shooting of Stephon Clark.
A protester carries an umbrella as he marches during a protest of the police shooting of Stephon Clark.
Black Lives Matter protesters stage a demonstration outside of Sacramento City Hall.
Black Lives Matter protesters stage a demonstration outside of Sacramento City Hall.
A Black Lives Matter protesters run onto Interstate 5.
A Black Lives Matter protesters run onto Interstate 5.
A Black Lives Matter protester holds a sign as he marches on Interstate 5.
A Black Lives Matter protester holds a sign as he marches on Interstate 5.
Protesters stand on a California Highway Patrol car on Interstate 5.
Protesters stand on a California Highway Patrol car on Interstate 5.
A young girl holds a Black Lives Matter sign in front of Sacramento police officers on horseback.
A young girl holds a Black Lives Matter sign in front of Sacramento police officers on horseback.
Black Lives Matter protesters block Interstate 5 during a demonstration.
Black Lives Matter protesters block Interstate 5 during a demonstration.
Protesters hold signs as they march on Interstate 5.
Protesters hold signs as they march on Interstate 5.
Protesters chant as they block the entrance to the Golden 1 Center.
Protesters chant as they block the entrance to the Golden 1 Center.
Black Live Matter protesters hold their fists in the air as they block the entrance to the Golden 1 Center.
Black Live Matter protesters hold their fists in the air as they block the entrance to the Golden 1 Center.
Black Live Matter protesters chant as they block the entrance to the Golden 1 Center.
Black Live Matter protesters chant as they block the entrance to the Golden 1 Center.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.