NFL brings back social justice helmet decals, 'end racism' field stencils
The NFL will once again allow players to wear six preselected social justice messages on their helmets this season and will have two end zone stencils at every stadium this fall, according to The Associated Press.
The move, which was launched last year amid a massive social justice push in the sports world, is part of the NFL’s “Inspire Change” platform.
Players can choose between six messages to wear on their helmet:
End Racism
Stop Hate
It Takes All of Us
Black Lives Matter
Inspire Change
Say Their Stories
The initiative is similar to what was first seen in the NBA during the bubble at Walt Disney World, when players changed their names on the back of their jerseys to similar pre-approved social justice statements. Players are not required to add a decal to their helmets.
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Every end zone will also feature the “End Racism” and “It Takes All of Us” phrases stenciled into the back white line. The “End Racism” phrase will be replaced during special causes, like the Salute to Service game.
The NFL is also bringing back the “Say Their Stories” campaign, per The Associated Press. All teams will get to highlight the respective social justice work during the final two games of the regular season and into the playoffs with special banners, goal post wraps, stencils, decals and video board graphics. Teams will also release custom hats for the cause during the final two weeks of the season.
“That will provide a unified time frame for us to further amplify all of the work that our clubs are doing and that will lead into the playoffs where Inspire Change will continue to take center stage,” NFL senior vice president of social responsibility Anna Isaacson said, via The Associated Press. “The key message for us as the season is starting, we are ramping up again in a big way with our social justice work.”
