All eyes are on the NFL today ― but not just for what happens after the kickoffs.
NFL players throughout the country are expected to demonstrate before today's games in defiance of President Trump's harsh criticism of athletes who kneel during the national anthem. In a Friday speech in Alabama, he called such players "sons of bitches," and then doubled down on his criticism in a series of follow-up posts on Twitter.
The first such protest occurred Sunday morning in London, and even included the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Shahid Khan. He linked arms with his players — several of whom were kneeling during the anthem — despite having donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural committee.
Trump's comments have already sparked a large social media response from a variety of professional athletes and celebrities, including singer Stevie Wonder, who took a knee during a performance Saturday night.
Bruce Maxwell, a catcher for the Oakland Athletics, became the first major league baseball player to take a knee during the national anthem Saturday night.
It's anticipated that players on many NFL teams will link arms, hold flags and kneel as shows of unity, rather than walking out, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported. Several players announced their intentions on social media before the games, encouraging others to demonstrate with them.
Trump responded to the demonstrations Sunday afternoon. He supported the shows of solidarity of players linking arms, but still disapproved those who chose to kneel, calling it "not acceptable."
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Baltimore Ravens
Players and staff on both teams kneeled and linked arms during the national anthem. An estimated 27 individuals took a knee on the field.
Future NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, who visited then-President-elect Trump in New York in December, also kneeled. In the past, though, Lewis has spoken against Kaepernick's protests.
"But I am against the way he's done it," Lewis said.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Chicago Bears
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced that his team would be staying in the locker room during the national anthem during Sunday's game.
"We're football players, we're football coaches. We're not participating in the anthem today. Not to be disrespectful to the anthem, but to remove ourselves from this circumstance," Tomlin told CBS News. "People shouldn't have to choose. If a guy wants to go about his normal business and participate in the anthem, he shouldn't have to be forced to choose sides. If a guy feels the need to do something, he shouldn't be separated from his teammate who chooses not to. So we're not participating today."
As it turned out, almost all the Steelers declined to come out on the field for the anthem. Offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva, an Army veteran, broke with the team to stand on the field for the national anthem. When the Steelers emerged, many in the Chicago crowd booed them.
Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets
Miami Dolphins player Julius Thomas announced that he would be taking a knee with his teammates. Both teams linked arms during the national anthem.
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles player Malcolm Jenkins announced his team will be locking arms during the national anthem. In the past, Jenkins has raised his fist during the national anthem as a form of protest.
Both teams locked arms during the national anthem and several Eagles players raised their fists. The Eagles owners stood with the players.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Detroit Lions
The owner of the Atlanta Falcons Arthur Blank stood on the sideline with his team.
Several Lions and Falcons players kneeled during the anthem, others linked arms in solidarity.
Rico Lavelle, who sang the anthem at Ford Field in Detroit, joined the demonstrations as well, finishing his rendition of the anthem by kneeling and raising his fist in the air.
Lions' owner Martha Ford expressed support for players' right to protest in a statement on Sunday.
"Our game has long provided a powerful platform for dialogue and positive change in many communities throughout our nation," she said.
Cleveland Browns vs. Indianapolis Colts
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who was considered a potential Trump supporter during the election, was seen linking arms with his fellow teammates, but also had his hand over his heart.
New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were not seen kneeling, but one player, Julius Peppers, was not on the field for the national anthem and later appeared.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills
The Broncos were booed as many players chose to take a knee during the national anthem.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans
The Seahawks' players announced before the game at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee that they would not be participating in the national anthem to "protest the injustice that has plagued people of color in this country." The team's players revealed their decision in a statement to ESPN correspondent Josina Anderson.
The Titans announced that they too will not appear on field during the national anthem in order to remain united as a team. Unlike the Seahawks, the Titans emphasized that the gesture would not be a protest of racism.
"As a team, we wanted to be unified in our actions today," the team stated. "The players jointly decided this was the best course of action. Our commitment to the military and our community is resolute and the absence of our team for the national anthem shouldn't be misconstrued as unpatriotic."
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Green Bay Packers
Three Green Bay Packers players ― Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks and Kevin King ― sat during the national anthem, marking the first occasion when any member of the team protested during the song. Other players, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, stood and locked arms.
"It's unfortunate that the president decided to use his immense platform to make divisive and offensive statements about our players and the NFL," Packers CEO Mark Murphy said in statement. "We believe strongly that players are leaders in our communities and positive influences. They have achieved their positions through tremendous work and dedication and should be celebrated for their success and positive impact."
'We believe that it is important to support any of our players who choose to peacefully express themselves with the hope for good," Murphy added. "As Americans, we are fortunate to be able to speak openly and freely."
Kendricks went on to catch the Packers' first touchdown of the game, performing the iconic "Lambeau leap" into the stands, where the fans received him warmly.
None of the Bengals players took a knee during the national anthem, choosing instead to stand and lock arms.
"Football and politics don't mix easily. Fans come to NFL games to watch great competition on the playing field and that's where our focus should be," the team said in a statement.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Oakland Raiders vs. Washington Redskins
The Oakland Raiders offensive line, the only all-black unit in the NFL, sat alongside the entire team in protest during the anthem. Raiders players remained seated on the team bench, arms linked together, in a slightly different version of the "take the knee" protest.
The Washington Redskins had mixed responses during the anthem, with some players kneeling and the majority standing with linked arms. Redskins owner Dan Snyder stood with the team in solidarity with his players.
Snyder donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration committee earlier this year.