Keith Srakocic / Associated Press
The NFL will continue the fight against systemic racism during Week 1 of the 2020 season with a series of measures, including the messages “It Takes All of Us” and “End Racism” at the borders of the end zone.
Jason Reid ESPN’s The Undefeated reported the news, noting that the league sent a memo to teams on Monday informing them of its plans.
The memo says that the idea behind the end zone messages is to show “how soccer and the NFL bring people together to work as one and use our example and our actions to help conquer racism.”
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network shared examples of helmet decals honoring George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Botham Jean, among others, and signage in end zones that teams and players will also use:
Tom Pelissero @ @TomPelissero
The NFL briefed clubs today on plans to expand their social justice initiatives, including helmet decals and signage in the end zones for the starter games and club opening games. https://t.co/p4lt27tmEY
“Each player will have the option to honor an individual by displaying that person’s name through a sticker on the back of their helmet,” says the memo. “Players will be offered a list of names and brief biographical information to help guide their decision making, however they may also select a victim of systemic racism who is not represented on this list.”
This comes after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell responded to a message from some of the league’s biggest stars in June, saying the league condemned racism and was “wrong not to listen to players. of the NFL before “and encouraged them to” speak and protest peacefully. “
Michael Thomas, Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, Ezekiel Elliott, and Saquon Barkley were among those who called on the NFL to take a firmer stand against systemic racism and police brutality after the Floyd murder:
Michael Thomas @ @Cantguardmike
“A message on behalf of the nfl” https://t.co/iilDpnZfyV
NFL @ @NFL
We, the NFL, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of blacks. We, the NFL, admit that we were wrong not to listen to NFL players earlier, and we encourage everyone to speak up and protest peacefully. We NFL believe Black Lives Matter. #InspireChange https://t.co/ENWQP8A0sv
Reid noted that the NFL also plans to play a recorded performance of “Lift Ev’ry Voice And Sing,” traditionally known as the black national anthem, before games.
The NFL will also honor essential workers who have helped combat the COVID-19 pandemic with messages.
Week 1 is slated to begin Thursday, Sept. 10 with a showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans.
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