Why did players and coaches wear country flags in the NFL this week?

In Weeks 4 and 5, the NFL players, coaches, and executives are sporting flags from different countries as part of the league’s initiative to celebrate international diversity.

As the NFL continues their quest to spread the game throughout other parts of the world, they set this initiative which is meant to “celebrate the growing number of nationalities and cultures that make up the fabric of the league”. The initiative will run through Week 5 as well, with this two-week stretch including the two games played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. Which flags they choose to sport are based on their “nationality of cultural heritage”.

Who is participating?

There are 205 players who are representing nations outside of the U.S. with flags from different countries displayed on their helmets. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, for example, decided to don the South Korean flag, in honor of his half-Korean mother. Bears receiver Equanimeous St. Brown and brother, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will both be wearing the German flag, their mother’s home country. Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool is one of the league’s most well-known non-American-born players. He is one of 14 players who represent Canada.

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There are 54 different countries and territories being represented, with Nigeria being the most-worn flag by a landslide. Of the 205 players participating, 59 will don the Nigerian flag.

Along with the 205 players, there are 20 coaches and executives participating in the initiative. Patriots head coach Bill Bellichick is representing Croatia and Los Angeles Chargers owner Dean Spanos is representing Greece, the countries from which their ancestors came.