And so it begins…

The opening of the NFL season, with the Houston Texans playing at the Kansas City Chiefs before a limited crowd of 22,000 fans, featured a pre-anthem montage from the league highlighting the cause of social justice.

One image featured a young man holding a football on which was written, “Anything Is Possible,” on a ball, with a man wearing a “Washington Football Team” jersey, reflecting that the Washington franchise eliminated its mascot this year because it was derogatory to Native Americans.

R&B duo Chloe x Halle sang the Anthem, with Chloe wearing a t-shirt featuring an image of Breonna Taylor and the phrase, “Say Her Name.”  Her sister Halle wore a t-shirt featuring George Floyd’s face, with the saying “Rest In Peace.”

The Texans players stayed in the locker room for both the National Anthem and rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”  The Chiefs assembled on their sideline, some players locking arms.

The Chiefs linebacker Alex Okafor kneeled during the National Anthem.  Defensive tackles Khalen Saunders and Chris Jones stood on either side of him with their hands on his shoulders.

One player, inactive for the game, was on the sideline wearing a hoodie that said “Vote.”

The Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the Texans’ Deshaun Watson met before the game and agreed to have a “Moment of Unity” before the game on behalf their

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please join us for a moment of silence dedicated to the ongoing fight for equality in our country,” the PA announcer said as the players and coached met at midfield and, joining arms, were greeted with a smattering of boos from the coronavirus-limited crowd.

The players agreed to seven principles for the Moment of Unity that were shown on the in-stadium scoreboards.

• We support equality.
• We must end racism.
• We believe in Justice for all.
• We must end police brutality.
• We choose unconditional love.
• We believe Black lives matter.
• It takes all of us.

The Texans Executive Vice President of Football Operations Jack Easterby said the decision of the Texans to stay in the locker room for both the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was made by the players themselves “so there would be no misinterpretation of them celebrating one song or throwing shade on the other,” according to NBC’s Michele Tafoya.  Easterby said the demonstration is “not about Black or white; it’s about change.”