DETROIT — Bears starting tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie kneeled during the playing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” sometimes referred to as the Black national anthem, about a half hour before Sunday’s game against the Lions.
This year, the league is also playing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before games, alongside a video displayed on scoreboards. At the ned of their stretching period, both teams stood along the 20-yard line during the playing of the song. Bears players either stood or linked arms, except for Leno and Massie, who kneeled next to each other.
The national anthem will be played shortly.