How Did Each NFL Team Take a Stand on Social Justice During Week 1?

How Did Each NFL Team Take a Stand on Social Justice During Week 1?

The Bears and Lions had several different demonstrations.

Like many teams, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions chose to stand together for “Lift Every Voice.” Bears offensive linemen Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie also knelt during the song.

During the national anthem, players from both teams chose to remain in the locker room. Several players from both teams either knelt or raised a fist in silent protests. This includes players Akiem Hicks, John Jenkins, Bilal Nichols and Jimmy Graham.

The Packers remained in the locker room while the Vikings had a moment of silence.

Following the Texans’ example, the Green Bay Packers stayed in the locker room for the national anthem.

“It’s still hard for me to understand as people how you can’t put yourself into another person’s shoes and try to see everything with an open heart and an open mind,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur told the Wisconsin State Journal. “I think that’s obviously been very challenging for this country and continues to be that way.”

The Minnesota Vikings had a video played in honor of George Floyd. They also silenced their Gjallarhorn, which signals the start of the game, in a show of respect. During the national anthem, a few players on the team took a knee.

The Patriots wore emblems in honor of BLM while the Dolphins protested in the locker room.

The New England Patriots added the phrases “It Takes All of Us” and “End Racism” behind their logos on the end zones. Coach Bill Belichick wore a patch on his visor honoring NFL’s first black coach Fritz Pollard. Patriots quarterback Cam Newton wore pregame cleats that included the phrases “Say their names,” “It ends now” and “No Justice, No Peace.”

The Patriots stood as a team for both the national anthem and also “Lift Every Voice.”

The Miami Dolphins chose to remain in the locker room for both anthems. Prior to the game, they said the demonstrations were nothing but “empty gestures.”

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