Boo overshadows ‘unity moment’ on NFL season opening night



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The start of the NFL season was overshadowed by boos from some fans during a moment of silence that, according to the league, was “dedicated to the continuing fight for equality in our country.”

Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans players held arms at Arrowhead Stadium before the game started, but some boos could be heard from a crowd that was less than a quarter away due to Covid-19 restrictions. .

Racial tensions have been building in the wake of George Floyd’s death while in police custody in Minnesota in May, sparking a wave of protests across the country.

Texans defensive end JJ Watt told the official NFL website: “The moment of unity that I personally thought was good. I mean the booing during that time was unfortunate. I don’t fully understand it. There was no flag involved.

“There was nothing involved other than two teams coming together to show unity.”

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said on Twitter: “We are a good city of good people. I also heard boos.

“But we also have hundreds of thousands more around here who respect the message that the players share; that they respect the rights of our players and people to express a strong message and that they are working to make us better every day ”.

Chiefs defensive end Alex Okafor knelt and raised his right hand during the national anthem, and Texans remained in the locker room at a rally against racial injustice.

When the game began, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 211 yards and three touchdown passes as the Super Bowl champions beat the Texans 34-20, with about 16,000 fans present at the capacity stadium. for 80,000.

The first score of the 2020 season went to David Johnson, who capped a nine-play series with a 19-yard run as the Texans went into the first break 7-0 up.

But Mahomes hit Travis Kelce early in the second to tie things, with a two-yard pass to Sammy Watkins that put the Chiefs ahead.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire had a 27-yard rushing touchdown, while Mahomes capped his night with a three-yard pass to extend the lead to 31-7.

Deshaun Watson led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter for Houston, but a Harrison Butker field goal left the Chiefs home and dry.



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