Matthew Stafford was at the forefront of the Lions' conversations this summer on racial and social equality. He and his wife recently donated $350,000 to a new social justice program at their alma mater Georgia.
And on Sunday afternoon before the season-opener against the Bears, Stafford was among several Lions players to take a knee during the national anthem.
Stafford was joined by RB Adrian Peterson, DL Da'Shawn Hand, S Tracy Walker, RB Ty Johnson, LB Jason Cabinda and G Jonah Jackson.
Head coach Matt Patricia stood behind the foursome of Stafford, Hand, Johnson and Jackson, while Kenny Golladay placed his hand on Stafford's shoulder. Patricia was visibly emotional, tearing up as the anthem played.
Several Lions players also remained in the locker room for the anthem.
Before the anthem, both teams stood on their respective goal lines and linked arms while a video promoting racial equality played on the big screens at Ford Field.