LOS ANGELES: A wave of protests swept National Football League games on Sunday after US President Donald Trump called for players demonstrating against racial inequality during the national anthem to be fired.
Dozens of players at several games across the league chose to kneel during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” in the largest such demonstration since the protests first began in 2016.
The first mass protest took place at the NFL’s London game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens at Wembley Stadium.
A large number of players from both teams chose to kneel during the playing of the anthem while others stood with their arms interlocked.
Among those linking arms with the players was Jacksonville owner Shad Khan, who donated $1 million to Trump’s election campaign in 2016.
Khan later issued a statement decrying Trump’s recent comments as “divisive and contentious.”
“That’s why it was important for us, and personally for me, to show the world that even if we may differ at times, we can and should be united in the effort to become better as people and a nation,” Khan said.
The London protests were emulated across the United States as matches kicked off.
In Foxborough, around 15 members of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots kneeled during the national anthem.
Star quarterback Tom Brady linked arms with his team-mates. Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a friend of Trump who also donated to his campaign, issued a statement saying he was “deeply disappointed” by Trump’s remarks on Friday.
In Chicago, the Pittsburgh Steelers chose to remain in their locker room during the anthem ahead of their clash with the Bears.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who is black, said the decision was not intended to be disrespectful but rather calculated to “remove ourselves from the circumstance.”
“These are very divisive times for our country,” Tomlin told CBS television. “For us as a football team, it’s about remaining solid.”
Wave of protests in NFL after Trump criticism
Wave of protests in NFL after Trump criticism
Qiddiya powers next phase of ESL Saudi Challenge Overwatch 2 in Saudi Arabia
- Aim to boost careers of young Saudi gamers
- Qiddiya partners with the ESL FACEIT Group
RIYADH: Qiddiya, the Kingdom’s entertainment, sports and cultural destination, has become the official partner of the ESL Saudi Challenge Overwatch 2 tournament in Saudi Arabia.
The ESL FACEIT Group, the world’s leading esports and video game entertainment company, announced its partnership with Qiddiya in a press release recently.
Operated by the group, the ESL Saudi Challenge is a Kingdom-focused, high-stakes Overwatch 2 competition designed to provide local players with a clear professional and global pathway.
Qiddiya’s involvement further expands opportunities for young Saudi gamers to play, compete and qualify in a professional environment, gaining valuable experience at elite level.
The importance of developing a strong local competitive structure was underlined recently at DreamHack Stockholm, where Twisted Minds were crowned Overwatch 2 world champions after an all-Saudi grand final against Al-Qadsiah.
The success of both teams, which have emerged from the domestic Saudi scene, highlighted the impact of sustained grassroots competition and the role of platforms such as the ESL Saudi Challenge.
Franck Guignery, senior vice president for the Middle East and Africa at ESL FACEIT Group, stated: “Welcoming Qiddiya as our first Official Partner is a testament of their commitment to the grassroots scene.
“This partnership, driven by Qiddiya’s dedication to unleash the power of play, ensures that we can provide the professional infrastructure and world-class competition necessary for young Saudis to compete at an elite level and rise to the global stage.”
The partnership also supports ESL FACEIT Group’s role within Vision 2030’s National Esports & Gaming Strategy, which aims to build a sustainable and thriving esports ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.
The second season of the ESL Saudi Challenge is now underway, featuring an updated competition format designed to accelerate the growth of the Saudi esports community.
Season two’s first stage is the FACEIT Gauntlet, featuring eight teams that progress through open qualification rounds. These teams will compete throughout December 2025, with the top two earning places in an international FACEIT League competition.
Stage two will have the winner of the FACEIT Gauntlet join the top three teams from the previous season to contest the playoffs and grand final. The season will conclude with an offline final at ESL FACEIT Group’s new regional headquarters in Riyadh in early 2026.
Fans will be able to attend the live final in Riyadh, with ticket and attendance details to be announced later.
