KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Latest from the opening game of the NFL season between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans (all times local):
7 p.m.
The Kansas City Chiefs lined up along the goal line about 30 minutes before kickoff Thursday night in a show of solidarity for social justice initiatives while a video played on the screens in each end zone of Arrowhead Stadium.
Along with the words “It Takes All of Us” on the screens, the video showcased Alicia Keyes performing the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” It was written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson and set to music by his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson, and is often referred to as the “Black national anthem.”
The song will be played before every Week 1 game this season as the NFL continues to address social injustice.
The Texans had already left the field when the video was shown.
6:10 p.m.
The Chiefs and Texans arrived at their opener Thursday night without any significant health concerns, either because of injuries or the coronavirus.
The Texans had wide receiver Keke Coutee, fullback Cullen Gillaspie, right tackle Charlie Heck and cornerback Cornell Armstrong inactive along with linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Dylan Cole. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks was available after he was listed as questionable with a quad injury.
The Chiefs had defensive ends Taco Charlton and Demone Harris inactive along with cornerback BoPete Keyes, tight end Ricky Seals-Jones and offensive lineman Yasir Durant. They also were without cornerback Bashaud Breeland, who is serving a four-game suspension, and defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who is suspended for two games.
6 p.m.
Thousands of fans of the Kansas City Chiefs trickled into the parking lots surrounding Arrowhead Stadium for the start of the NFL season Thursday night. The Super Bowl champions were playing the Houston Texans.
The Chiefs are among five franchises that have been given the green light to have fans in person. The number was capped at 22% of the capacity of the stadium, and that equates to about 17,000 fans. Most of those who arrived early huddled with friends under tents in the parking lots as rain continued to fall.
The Chiefs are using a pod system that allows fans to sit with their group, but that also puts a certain amount of empty seats between the groups. Most fans said they thought those precautions, along with the requirement of face masks, will be enough to ensure the game can be played safely with people in the stands.
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