The Kansas City Chiefs are the latest NFL team to make a statement during the national anthem.
The Chiefs' players linked arms while the anthem played before Sunday's season opener:
Chiefs locked arms during the anthem pic.twitter.com/nnW0h34PDU
— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) September 11, 2016
The team issued a statement explaining the decision:
After having a number of thoughtful discussions as a group regarding our representation during the National Anthem, we decided collectively to lock arms as a sign of solidarity. It was our goal to be unified as a team and to be respectful of everyone’s opinions, and the remembrance of 9/11. It's our job as professional athletes to make a positive impact on our communities and to be proactive when change is needed. Together we are going to continue to have conversations, educate ourselves and others on social issues, and work with local law enforcement officials and leaders to make an impact on the Kansas City community.
Additionally, cornerback Marcus Peters raised his fist during the anthem. It's unclear if Peters' gesture was part of the Chiefs' plan or something he decided to do on his own.
"I salute Colin (Kaepernick) for what he's doing for a great cause,'' Peters said on Friday, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher. "I'm 100 percent behind him. What's going on in law enforcement, it does need to change and it does need to change for ... everybody, not just us as black Americans."
