The family of George Floyd will be attending Sunday’s NFL opener between the Vikings and Packers in Minneapolis, which will see player helmets and the end zone marked to bring awareness to issues of racism and injustice.
Players will be on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium wearing special warmup shirts that say “Be the Change” on the front with the back featuring the names of 200 people who have been “killed by acts of racism or police brutality,” according to a release from the Vikings.
In addition, the end zones will be painted with messages that say “It Takes All of Us” and “End Racism.” The same messages will be displayed in the end zones of every stadium during the NFL’s opening weekend.
As seen at the top of the story, Vikings helmets will include messages about social justice or the names of victims of systemic racism. Linebacker Eric Kendricks will wear a helmet with Breonna Taylor’s name on the back.
The Vikings will recognize the family of Floyd following a recorded pregame musical performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson.
Due to COVID-19, the Vikings are not allowing fans inside the stadium for their first two home games of the season. Fan attendance at all future home games has not been decided.
