Virginia's Mendenhall hopes team will help bring community together

The events in Charlottesville, Va. last weekend hit close to home for Bronco Mendenhall and the rest of the University of Virginia football team.

A woman was killed and several others were injured during a protest when a man drove into the group. Mendenhall said the team is trying to convey a message of unity and that the players realize many of those involved in the riots aren't locals.

"I was expecting more concern but most of them are realizing that this is happening from people that are coming in from outside our city and leaving, ... that won't necessarily be their neighbors and their fans," Mendenhall said, according to ESPN. "No recruits have said they're no longer coming, no parents are saying they're no longer coming."

Mendenhall said the team came together Monday for a photo on campus where they linked arms.

"They stand united, embracing the differences and respecting the difference and valuing the differences," Mendenhall added.

Mendenhall is in his second year at Virginia after coming over from BYU, and he believes his team could play a big role in healing the community.

"We would like to help our team inspire and teach and perform in a way that will bring the community together."