Colts head coach kneels, players link arms before opening game against Jaguars

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The Indianapolis Colts players and personnel line up in the end zone for the national anthem during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP
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Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich, center, kneels the national anthem during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich knelt during the national anthem and the players stood with linked arms before Sunday's opening game against the Jaguars.

The Colts also released a statement on behalf of Black communities in Indiana and other cities before the game.

"Our intent is to bring attention to the issue of systemic racism and the injustice inherit therein," the statement read. "We also wanted to demonstrate a symbolic gesture of how we believe meaningful change happens."

"We were not protesting the flag, the anthem, or the men and women who wear the uniform," the statement read. "The timing of this action is meant to highlight that the presence, power, and oppression of racism remains inconsistent with the unity and freedoms of what it means to be an American."

You can read the full statement below:

The Colts weren't alone though. Players across the league showed their support for the Black Lives Matter movement during their opening games over the weekend.

This story was originally published by Andrew Smith at WRTV.