Before kickoff of the Lions and Falcons game, both teams stood linking arms on the sidelines to “celebrate [our] differences,” the announcer said before Rico LaVelle sang the national anthem.

Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank linked arms with Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman on the sidelines. Detroit Lions’ owner, Martha Firestone Ford, stood with her arms linked with the players.

LaVelle, the Detroit-native singer, waited until the end of the national anthem to kneel. Twitter reacted to the teams and artist:

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Mercer sophomore defensive lineman Andrew Zock (center) has 10 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss this season for the No. 10-ranked Bears. (Courtesy of Mercer Athletics)

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Travelers walk around the baggage claim in the South Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Atlanta is among the airports where the FAA will reduce flights due to the shutdown, and airports are facing a shortage of air traffic controllers. 
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