The NFL is embracing change this offseason, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and it will now reportedly allow players to wear helmet decals honoring victims of police brutality.
NFL to allow players to honor victims of police brutality
When the 2020 NFL season begins, football fans will see something different on player helmets this season. Following the recent killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by police officers, the NFL will allow players to wear helmet decals honoring victims this season.
According to Front Office Sport’s Michael McCarthy, the NFL plans to let players wear decals sharing the names and initials of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other victims of police violence and systemic racism in the United States.
While the move hasn’t been finalized, the league is working with the NFL Players Association on an agreed list of names for players to use before the regular season begins. Players will provide the list of names with approval from the league office.
Players will not be required to wear decals, per NFL Network’s Steve Wyche. However, they will receive the choice of paying their respects to victims of violence or police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Previously, the NFL has reserved helmet patches for honoring the military or fallen members of the football family. However, the league is shifting in a new direction.
The NFL has taken a more active role in supporting players’ right to peacefully protest and raise awareness for police brutality and systemic racism within the United States. Not only has commissioner Roger Goodell now defended the players’ choice to kneel during the national anthem, but the NFL is also expected to stand up against pushback from President Donald Trump.
With the regular season fast approaching, we will likely see far more players taking a knee during the national anthem and using their platform to call for change this year.