Here's how NFL players protested during national anthems on Sunday, Monday of Week 1

Tadd Haislop

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Here's how NFL players protested during national anthems on Sunday, Monday of Week 1 image

NFL players had been waiting months for the return of the unique platform that is live games in front of millions of TV viewers. On Sunday and Monday, those players were able to join their professional athlete peers in protesting recent racial injustices in the United States with on- and off-field demonstrations.

The leaguewide demonstrations during the Sunday and Monday games of Week 1 were expected, especially after the Chiefs and Texans opened the 2020 season with protests of their own Thursday night. Houston remained in the locker room for the playing of the national anthem before that game, a demonstration that was repeated by a handful of NFL teams Sunday.

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Of the players who were on the field during national anthems ahead of their games Sunday and Monday, many took knees and/or raised fists with others locking arms. The methods of protests varied from game to game and team to team, but all Sunday and Monday games featured demonstrations of some sort.

Below is a roundup of how each team protested racial injustice and police brutality during the national anthem prior to the Sunday and Monday games of Week 1.

Seahawks vs. Falcons

Both teams were on the field for the national anthem, and a few Seahawks players took knees.

On the opening kickoff, all 22 players on the field stayed still and took knees on the field once the ball sailed out of the end zone for a touchback.

Jets vs. Bills

Neither the Jets nor the Bills were on the field for the national anthem. 

Bears vs. Lions

Some Lions and Bears players stayed in the locker room for the national anthem. Of those who were on the field, many took knees and/or raised fists.

Packers vs. Vikings

The Packers stayed in the locker room for the national anthem. The Vikings were on the field with a few players taking knees.

Dolphins vs. Patriots

As they said they would, the Dolphins stayed in the locker room for the national anthem. The Patriots were on the field with all players standing.

Eagles vs. Washington

The Eagles stayed in the locker room for the national anthem. All Washington players stood on their sideline with some raising fists.

Raiders vs. Panthers

Both the Raiders and the Panthers were on the field for the national anthem. A few Carolina players took knees and/or raised fists.

Colts vs. Jaguars

The Jaguars stayed in the locker room for the national anthem. The Colts were on the field, and coach Frank Reich was the only person on Indy's sideline to take a knee.

Browns vs. Ravens

Both the Browns and the Ravens were on the field for the national anthem with several players on both teams taking knees.

Chargers vs. Bengals

All Chargers and Bengals players stood in the middle of the field and locked arms during the national anthem.

Buccaneers vs. Saints

All Saints and Buccaneers players were on the field and standing for the national anthem. The exception was New Orleans safety Malcolm Jenkins.

Cardinals vs. 49ers

The Cardinals stayed in the locker room for the national anthem. The 49ers were on the field with most players standing and a couple kneeling.

Cowboys vs. Rams

Both the Cowboys and the Rams were on the field for the national anthem. Several Los Angeles players took knees, but Dontari Poe was the lone Dallas player to do so.

Steelers vs. Giants

The Steelers stood as a team; several players held a sign that read "STEELERS AGAINST RACISM." Multiple Giants players chose to kneel. Northjersey.com reported coach Joe Judge stood between Jabrill Peppers and Dalvin Tomlinson and placed a hand on each player's shoulder.

Titans vs. Broncos

About 30 players — 18 to 20 for the Broncos, according to various reports, and  for the Titans — took a knee during the anthem.

Tadd Haislop

Tadd Haislop is the Associate NFL Editor at SportingNews.com.