NEW ORLEANS — The NFL is set to feature the phrase “Choose Love” in one end zone at the Superdome during Sunday’s Super Bowl, aiming to offer a message of hope following various crises that have shaken the country in the early part of the year.

“The Super Bowl serves as a significant moment for the nation, and the NFL has a distinct opportunity to inspire and uplift people,” said a spokesman for the league, Brian McCarthy. He added that the phrase is particularly relevant in light of recent events, including wildfires in Southern California, a terrorist attack in New Orleans, and tragic aviation incidents near the nation’s capital and in Philadelphia.

In the opposite end zone, the message “It Takes All of Us” will be displayed, which has been a staple since the NFL introduced field messages in 2020 as part of its Inspire Change initiative. Throughout the season, various teams have showcased messages such as “Vote,” “End Racism,” “Stop Hate,” or “Choose Love” in their respective end zones.

The defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, previously used “Choose Love” during the AFC title game against the Buffalo Bills. Conversely, the Philadelphia Eagles opted for “End Racism” in the NFC championship matchup.

Notably, President Donald Trump is expected to attend the game, as the Chiefs pursue a historic third consecutive Super Bowl victory, something no team has achieved in the Super Bowl’s history.

Despite speculation, sources within the league have clarified that the absence of “End Racism” as a message in the Super Bowl does not stem from Trump’s attendance. These individuals spoke under anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussion.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed concerns on Monday, asserting that the league’s commitment to promoting diversity does not conflict with the Trump administration’s stance against diversity and inclusion initiatives in federal programs. The NFL continues to enforce policies requiring teams to consider diverse candidates for key coaching and executive roles, stemming from the Rooney Rule established over twenty years ago.

Several NFL franchise owners made contributions to Trump’s campaign and to conservative causes for the upcoming 2024 election.

“Our owners are part of every decision we make,” Goodell noted. “Our policies are structured to comply with legal standards and industry practices. There are no quotas involved; our focus is on expanding access to attract the best talent into the NFL. We maintain that what we are doing aligns with the purposes of both the current and previous administrations.”