The National Women’s Soccer League became the first North American team sport to resume play on Saturday with a game between the North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns, and they used their network television debut to make a powerful statement about racism and equality.
Before the opening whistle of the NWSL Challenge Cup, all Courage and Thorns players kneeled during the national anthem.
All players and coaches were also wearing Black Lives Matter shirts during warmups, and numerous players wore Black Lives Matter armbands during the game itself.
Megan Rapinoe, who has opted out of the NWSL Challenge Cup, tweeted how proud she was to see her fellow players making such an anti-racism statement.