Eagles TE Zach Ertz Shows Support for Wife Julie After She Took a Knee During National Anthem

The NWSL Challenge Cup officially kicked off, with one of the weekend's high-profile matches featuring United States international Julie Ertz, the wife of Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, leading her Chicago Red Stars against Rose Lavelle and the Washington Spirit.

In a show of unity and support for those fighting for racial justice across the country, both teams took a knee during the national anthem, with Ertz and teammate Casey Short getting especially emotional during the moment. The Eagles tight end showed that he's throwing his full support behind his wife on Twitter.

Women's soccer, unlike football, has not only allowed protests during the anthem, but it has all but officially encouraged it.

Hopefully the decision-makers in Zach's line of work can learn from the NWSL and foster an environment more welcoming to those protesting for racial equality and police accountability.

The Red Stars lost to the Spirit, but results were secondary across the board, as these displays of unity will carry more weight than any victory on the pitch ever will.