Texans walk off field ahead of anthems, Chiefs DE kneels
Ahead of the first game of the 2020 NFL season, the Houston Texans stayed in the locker room before the playing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "The Star-Spangled Banner."
The Texans stayed in the locker room during the national anthem before coming out onto the field. pic.twitter.com/xN7AIp830M
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 11, 2020
The Kansas City Chiefs stood on the field with their arms linked together for the Black national anthem. They also observed the U.S. national anthem, with some players standing arms linked, some facing the flag, and defensive end Alex Okafor kneeling.
It takes all of us. pic.twitter.com/duLF86ajhb
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 11, 2020
The Chiefs and Texans then united at midfield during a moment of silence for racial equality. Boos were heard from some of the 17,000 fans allowed in attendance at Arrowhead Stadium.
Unified for change.#ItTakesAllOfUs pic.twitter.com/vwwzbUtjJv
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 11, 2020
During the offseason, Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said he would kneel during the national anthem alongside his players if that's what they chose to do in protest of racial inequality.
"Yeah, I'll take a knee - I'm all for it. The players have a right to protest, a right to be heard, and a right to be who they are," he said at the time.