Chiefs, Texans open NFL season with nod toward social justice
Chiefs show solidarity Members of the Kansas City Chiefs lock arms and stand at the goal line in a show of solidarity before Thursday night's NFL game against the Houston Texans. (Charlie Riedel/Associated Press )
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Football League opened its 101st season Thursday night, with members of the host Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans making their own statements meant to bring awareness to social justice issues.
The Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions, lined up at the goal line at Arrowhead Stadium 30 minutes before kickoff while video screens played Alicia Keys singing “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing." Keyes sang while the words “It Takes All of Us” were featured on the screen.
The coordinated show was meant to bring awareness to movements such as Black Lives Matter and other causes.
The Chiefs stood on their sideline during the playing of the national anthem, which was streamed on the video screens and featured R&B singers Chloe X Halle, according to The Associated Press. The Texans, meanwhile, remained in their locker room until “The Star-Spangled Banner” had concluded.
Texans executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby said the team decided to stay in the locker room for both songs so there would be “no misinterpretation of them celebrating one song and throwing shade on the other,” ESPN reported.
According to ESPN, Easterby told NBC that the demonstration was “not about black or white, it’s about change.”
The two teams met at midfield to shake hands and then locked arms as they lined up from end zone to end zone for a moment of silence in a display of solidarity.
Some fans in the Arrowhead Stadium crowd, limited to 17,000 fans due to the coronavirus pandemic, booed as the players lined up, The Kansas City Star reported. That amounted to 22% of the stadium’s capacity, ESPN reported. Fans were scattered throughout the stadium’s three decks, while the first eight rows of the lower deck were covered by a tarp.
The Chiefs defeated the Texans 34-20 as quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes.
NFL opens 2020 season The video board at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City posts a message noting "We Believe Black Lives Matter" before Thursday night's NFL opener. (Jeff Roberson/Associated Press )
NFL opens 2020 season A sign reminds shoppers to keep social distance and wear masks in a souvenir shop at Arrowhead Stadium. (Jeff Roberson/Associated Press )
NFL opens 2020 season A fan sits alone at Arrowhead Stadium before the start of Thursday's NFL game. (Jeff Roberson/Associated Press )
NFL opens 2020 season Members of the Kansas City Chiefs lock arms and stand at the goal line in a show of solidarity before Thursday night's NFL game against the Houston Texans. (Charlie Riedel/Associated Press )
NFL opens 2020 season Players from the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans meet on the field before Thursday night's game at Arrowhead Stadium. (Jeff Roberson/Associated Press )
NFL opens 2020 season Members of the Kansas City Chiefs lock arms as they stand at the goal line before Thursday night's game at Arrowhead Stadium. (Charlie Riedel/Associated Press )
NFL opens 2020 season A replica of the Vince Lombardi Trophy was present at Arrowhead Stadium as the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs prepared to host the Houston Texans Thursday night. (Jeff Roberson/Associated Press )
NFL opens 2020 season A Kansas City Chiefs fan shows his spirit while wearing a mask during Thursday night's game at Arrowhead Stadium. (Charlie Riedel/Associated Press )
NFL opens 2020 season Houston Texans coach Bill O'Brien, left, wears a mask as he watches the action during Thursday's game. (Charlie Riedel/Associated Press)
NFL opens 2020 season Fans kept their distance as they waited for the start of Thursday night's game at Arrowhead Stadium. (Jeff Roberson/Associated Press)
NFL opens 2020 season Fans keep socially distanced as they tailgate in the parking lot at Arrowhead Stadium before Thursday night's NFL game. (Charlie Riedel/Associated Press )
NFL opens 2020 season Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes wears a "Vote" shirt as he warms up before Thursday night's game at Arrowhead Stadium. (Reed Hoffman/Associated Press)