LOOK: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams helmets to feature MLK tribute

The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams will display a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. on their helmets Monday night, along with messages of support. Monday night’s Wild Card matchup between the two teams will be the NFL’s first-ever game that takes place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Bigger than football.

Players will be wearing MLK-inspired helmet bumpers + decals for #MLKDay. pic.twitter.com/uolGKA7XSD

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 17, 2022

The Cardinals will play in the NFL’s first-ever game on MLK Day when they face the Rams in Monday night’s Wild Card game

Player helmets will feature MLK decals as well as one of 2 phrases to honor Dr. King: “BE LOVE” & “END HATE”

Here they are on the helmet of Kyler Murray pic.twitter.com/Lxu9R1Xyxr

— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) January 14, 2022

Cardinals and Rams bare tribute on helmets

As the players take the field for the first NFL game to take place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, their helmets will bear tributes to the iconic civil rights leader. The player helmets will feature a decal with the initials “MLK” clearly displayed.

Additionally, the players will have one of two phrases to honor Dr. King’s legacy. The phrases chosen will be either “BE LOVE” or “END HATE” on the back of their helmets. The phrase “BE LOVE” will also be displayed on the field at SoFi Stadium in one end zone, while the opposite end zone displays “END RACISM.”

The Monday Night Football broadcast will also feature audio from players on both teams discussing the legacy and impact of Dr. King. Along with the Rams and Cardinals helmets displaying the messages, the game should be an emotionally charged one that goes beyond just football.

“We are proud to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at our game tonight,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Dr. King envisioned a world where justice and equality existed for all, a vision that is supported tirelessly by the King Center today. Through Inspire Change, we are honored to work alongside Dr. Bernice King and the King Center to help foster unity, drive positive change in our communities, and continue the critical fight to end racism.”

Walter Payton helmet emblems

Two players on Monday night will also display the silhouette of NFL legend Walter Payton on their helmets. Arizona’s Kelvin Beachum and Los Angeles’ Andrew Whitworth are their team’s nominees for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for the 2021 NFL season.

Each team in the league nominated one player for the prestigious award recognizing their contributions to their community. While previous winners of the award display the silhouette of Walter Payton on their jersey to recognize their achievement, the nominees are recognized with the helmet decal while awaiting the final winner’s announcement.

Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt is one of the current NFL players who have previously won the award, along with Calais Campbell and Russell Wilson.