Some to boycott Super Bowl LIX over NFL decision
The NFL’s decision to remove “End Racism” from the field and instead use “Choose Love” in the back of one of the end zones at the Superdome for the Super Bowl on Sunday has been met with social media reaction.
Some have suggested they will boycott Sunday’s game between between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
Grammy-winning artist Ledisi will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” known as the Black National Anthem, prior to the game and said it was a honor.
Still, some have decided to boycott the game.
The NFL released a statement on why it changed the end zone messaging.
“The Super Bowl is often a snapshot in time and the NFL is in a unique position to capture and lift the imagination of the country,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said. ”‘Choose Love’ is appropriate to use as our country has endured in recent weeks wildfires in Southern California, the terrorist attack here in New Orleans, the plane and helicopter crash near our nation’s capital and the plane crash in Philadelphia.”
“It Takes All of Us” will be stenciled in the other end zone as it’s been since the league began using field stencils in 2020 for the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative. Teams this season have selected “Vote,” “End Racism,” “Stop Hate,” or “Choose Love” for the other end zone.
The two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs used “Choose Love” in the AFC title game against Buffalo. The Philadelphia Eagles selected “End Racism” in the NFC championship game.
President Donald Trump will attend the game, and two people familiar with the league’s thinking, per The Associated Press, shot down the idea that Trump’s presence is the reason why “End Racism” isn’t being stenciled in an end zone at the Super Bowl for the first time since the league began doing it.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.