Why Do NFL Players Put Right Palm on Their Heart When National Anthem Is Played?

Every American’s heart fills with emotions whenever they hear “The Star-Spangled Banner” and place their right hand on their heart. Before every NFL game, players line up and pay homage to their country by singing the national anthem. For Patrick Mahomes, today was the second international game of his career. He had played in Mexico last year. But for Tua, it will be his first. While they have participated in the opening ceremony at home, listening to the national anthem in a foreign land always hits differently.

But why do players place their hands on their right hand as a gesture of respect? And were things done differently before? As fans back home wake up early to prepare for the 9:30 AM (ET) kick-off, emotions are running high — at home and in Deutsche Bank Park Stadium.

Respect for the National Anthem was done differently before

According to the Smithsonian Magazine, initially, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, which required all attendees to perform a salute by raising their right hand, palm flipped down, and pointing toward the flag. However, the US Flag Code was laid down in 1942. And it changed how Americans would pay homage during the national anthem forever. It stipulated that people had to place their right hand over their heart while reciting the Pledge or while “The Star-Spangled Banner” was being sung.

Before the kick-off in Germany, Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa could be spotted paying their respects to the national anthem on foreign soil. Right hands over their hearts, brimming with emotions, captivated all American fans back home.

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Chiefs fans dominate the stadium

If either of the teams could win based on which team had the loudest fanbase, we’d have a clear winner. As soon as the national anthem finished, the stadium was drowned with cheers of “Chiefs.” No Dolphins cheer could be heard in the overpowering support for their opponents. Technically, this wasn’t the Chiefs’ home turf, but for the purposes of this game, it was considered a home game for the Chiefs. And Chiefs Kingdom did not disappoint.

Did the passion of the fans affect the players? They had an uphill task of breaking the 6-2 record held by both teams. It was mostly a sea of red in Germany. If the Chiefs had lost this matchup, it would come as a big disappointment to fans both at home and in Germany.

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