According to a report from The Athletic, the NFL will remove the words “End Racism” from the out-of-bounds area behind the end zone ahead of Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
The words will be replaced at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans by the phrase “Choose Love,” marking the first time since Super Bowl LV in Tampa in 2021 that “End Racism” won’t appear behind one of the end zones, while the opposite end zone will still include the phrase “It Takes All Of Us.”
League spokesman Brian McCarthy told The Athletic the decision was “based on sensitivity to recent tragedies,” including the terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, the wildfires that destroyed thousand of homes and killed at least 29 people in the Los Angeles area last month and last week’s fatal midair collision in Washington D.C.
“We felt it was an appropriate statement for what the country has collectively endured, given recent tragedies, and can serve as an inspiration,” McCarthy said, though The Athletic noted the decision can be perceived as a nod to the current political climate with President Donald Trump also expected to be in attendance on Sunday.
Amid nationwide protests against social injustice, the NFL first allowed players to wear the name of a victim of police violence and systemic racism or a slogan on their back helmet bumpers during the 2020 season, including “Black Lives Matter,” “Stop Hate,” “Inspire Change,” “Say Their Stories,” “It Takes All Of Us” and “End Racism.”
The last two were also stenciled behind the end zones that season, similar to the league’s “Crucial Catch” and “Salute To Service” campaigns, though teams have had their choice of the aforementioned slogans in recent years, as well as “Vote,” as part of the NFL’s “Inspire Change” initiative.
That’s why the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia had “End Racism” behind one end zone while the end zones at the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City featured the slogans “Choose Love” and “It Takes All Of Us,” matching the design of Sunday’s field.
Photos courtesy of @NFL on X/Twitter.