The Subtle Way Jordin Sparks Stood Up for Equality When She Sang the National Anthem

Jordin Sparks may not have taken a knee when she sang the national anthem to kick off Monday Night Football, but she did make a statement. However, only people who know their Bible verses may have caught it.

When the singer appeared on Monday Night Football she had the verse Proverbs 31:8-9 written on her hand. In the New International Version of the Bible, that verse reads: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute./Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

It appeared to be a subtle way of showing her support for the football players who have been at the center of a national debate—and several Presidential tweets—as they have taken a knee during the anthem as a form of silent protest over the treatment of African Americans at the hands of police.

Before Sparks sang the anthem, the Dallas Cowboys —along with their head coach Jason Garrett and team owner Jerry Jones—kneeled as they linked hands.