NFL announce they will play the 'black national anthem' BEFORE the Star Spangled Banner during 'tentpole' 2021 season games and players will feature names of police brutality victims on their helmets
The NFL plans to play the black national anthem before every game in the first week of the 2021 season, according to a new report.
Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing, traditionally referred to as the black national anthem, will be performed before The Star-Spangled Banner to kick off each game in Week 1, beginning with the September 10 season opener when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans.
A source familiar with the league's discussions confirmed the controversial change to ESPN's The Undefeated on Thursday.
The NFL, in collaboration with the NFL Players Association, is also considering featuring names of victims who suffered police brutality on uniforms, helmets or patches on jerseys, the source said.
The decision comes as the league hopes to demonstrate 'a genuine commitment to the public, players and coaches and that player voices continue to be heard,' the source wrote in a text message.
'This is key to educating fans, and becoming a prominent voice in the fight to end racism,' they said.
The NFL announced it plans to perform or play the Black national anthem, before games during the beginning of this year's season, ESPN reports
The NFL has recently displayed increased awareness about the issues of systemic racism, with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (pictured) admitting the league was wrong in how it approached NFL player protesting police brutality and systemic racism over the past few years.
The source said the league is also considering producing educational programs about police brutality victims, among other plans.
The NFL has recently displayed increased awareness about the issues of systemic racism, with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell admitting the league was wrong in how it approached NFL player protesting police brutality and systemic racism over the past few years.
In a one-minute, 21-second video uploaded to Goodell's Twitter account last month, the NFL commissioner condemned racism, pledging his allegiance to equal justice for players and affirming that Black lives do matter.
In the 1 minute, 21 second video uploaded to Goodell's Twitter account last month, the NFL commissioner condemned racism, pledging his allegiance to equal justice for players and affirming that Black lives do matter.
Goodell released the video as a response to requests made by more than a dozen star players, quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes II (right) and Deshaun Watson (left)
The demonstrations ignited national debate, with NFL owners taking side of those who thought players should stand during the anthem because it was considered disrespectful and unpatriotic
'We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people,' Goodell said.
'We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all players to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the National Football League, believe that black lives matter.'
Goodell continued by saying he would begin connecting with players who are making their voices heard.
'Without black players, there would be no National Football League, and the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of black players, coaches, fans and staff,' he said.
Goodell released the video as a response to requests made by more than a dozen star players, quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes Deshaun Watson.
The league also revealed plans to increase its social justice footprint by pledging to donate $250million over a 10-year period, ESPN reports.
In 2016, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, along with other NFL players, began kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness of racial injustices.
The demonstrations ignited national debate, with NFL owners taking side of those who thought players should stand during the anthem because it was considered disrespectful and unpatriotic.
However, the players continually insisted kneeling wasn't about the American flag, nor a symbol of their patriotism.
Kaepernick was released from the 49ers in 2016, settling a collusion claim with the NFL in 2019.
In 2016, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, along with other NFL players, began kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness of racial injustices
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