The San Francisco 49ers elected to line up as a team along the end zone in a moment of silence against racism and systematic oppression before kickoff of Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. They did so as "Lift Every Voice and Sing" played throughout the stadium.
The Cardinals, however, opted to remain in the locker room before the game.
#ItTakesAllOfUs pic.twitter.com/T0BFeiFdH5
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 13, 2020
#49ers lined up on goal line and #AZCardinals in locker room as "Lift Every Voice and Sing" is played before a fan-less Levi's Stadium pic.twitter.com/pxyZg88b0d
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 13, 2020
#49ers lined up along the end zone for "Lift Every Voice and Sing" - on the video board recorded by Alicia Keys, played about 25 minutes before kickoff. Arizona Cardinals were in their locker room pic.twitter.com/ur2cg69RLb
— Jake Hutchinson (@hutchdiesel) September 13, 2020
The NFL this season has pushed to help spread awareness of social injustice. Among other initiatives, the 49ers feature the following phrases in each painted end zone boundary line: "End Racism" and "It Takes All of Us."
Players have the option to wear helmet decals with names/initials of victims of systemic racism or one of four phrases: "It Takes All of Us," "End Racism," "Stop Hate," or "Black Lives Matter." Coaches have the option to wear patches with the same.
49ers players had the option to wear custom-made Black Lives Matter shirts provided by Levi's during pregame, which many did.