Kalif Raymond Knelt During Anthem at Soldier Field

The Chicago Bears wide receiver knelt in the end zone before the game against the Jets.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Football

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stadium goal post silhouette against a vast sky, representing the atmosphere of the protest. — Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond knelt alone in the end zone during the national anthem before Sunday's game against the New York Jets at Soldier Field. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond knelt in the end zone during the national anthem before the team's game against the New York Jets. He performed the action alone before standing for the final 20 seconds of the anthem.

Why it matters

The action has prompted ongoing debate among social media users regarding the respectfulness of player conduct during the anthem. The NFL rulebook does not provide specific guidance on individual behavior during the performance.

Raymond knelt alone on the edge of the end zone during the anthem. He stood for the final 20 seconds of the performance.

The players

Kalif Raymond

He is a professional wide receiver currently playing for the Chicago Bears.

Chicago Bears

They are a professional football team based in Chicago that competes in the NFL.

New York Jets

They are a professional football team based in New Jersey that competes in the NFL.

Philadelphia Eagles

They are a professional football team based in Philadelphia that competes in the NFL.

The details

This kneeling incident at Soldier Field follows a similar action taken by Raymond during Week 3 of the 2026 season against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chicago Bears organization has not provided a response to requests for comment regarding the player's actions.

October 4, 2026: The Bears posted a video of Raymond discussing his faith.
October 5, 2026: Raymond knelt during the anthem before the game against the Jets.
Week 3 2026: Raymond knelt during the anthem before the Philadelphia Eagles game.

Season Trajectory

This incident follows the precedent set by the 2016 national anthem protest movement within the NFL. Such player-led actions continue to influence the public narrative surrounding the Chicago Bears' season.

The incident brings renewed scrutiny to player conduct policies for those tracking team discipline and league narratives. It remains to be seen if the organization or the league will issue official statements regarding the behavior.

The takeaway

The lack of clear NFL regulation on this conduct ensures that individual player choices will continue to spark public discourse. Fans and analysts continue to monitor how team organizations address these instances.