Have you ever noticed the phrases on your favorite NFL players’ helmets? For example, the back of Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s helmet reads “BE LOVE.”
This is part of the NFL’s social justice initiative, Inspire Change, which aims to reduce barriers to opportunity, especially in communities of color, and demonstrate how the league works to create positive change.
The social justice helmet decal program allows players to choose from a curated list of slogans to display on the back of their helmets.
Here are some slogans from past years:
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“Choose Love” is a slogan that Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, displayed on his helmet after suffering cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
During the highly anticipated matchup, Hamlin collapsed on the field, prompting immediate medical intervention. CPR and oxygen were administered before he was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
The NFL subsequently canceled the game.
Despite the traumatic event, Hamlin’s doctors reported encouraging signs, noting that his neurological function remained intact. However, further tests were required to determine the underlying cause of the cardiac arrest.
As Hamlin continued to recover, the Buffalo Bills placed him on injured reserve, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. Still, his helmet’s “Choose Love” slogan resonated far beyond the field, symbolizing resilience, compassion, and unity during a challenging time.
— As a Rochester native, Justice Marbury entered the world of journalism to create work where voices like hers were heard — the voices of minority communities. Marbury covers small businesses, neighborhood concerns, and the interesting people who live in Rochester’s 19th Ward. As the 19th Ward reporter, she has helped implement community outreach ideas by asking what people in various communities want to read about themselves in addition to regular news. Contact her on Instagram @justice_marbury and by email at jmarbury@gannett.com.
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