The games fell on the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States and many NFL teams commemorated the tragedy with special ceremonies. Four Miami Dolphins players, Arian Foster, Jelani Jenkins, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills, knelt while the national anthem was played at their season opener against the Seahawks. The other Chiefs players they decided to lock arms as a sign of solidarity after discussing the issue as a group. In the NFL season opener, Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall had knelt during the anthem. About two-thirds of NFL players are black.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 12, 2016 00:22 UTC