Chiefs announce they will commemorate Juneteenth by closing club offices

The Kansas City Chiefs announced Monday evening that they plan to commemorate Juneteenth. Juneteenth recognizes the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865.

The Chiefs made the announcement on their official Twitter account.

“As our community and the country work toward a future without racial inequality and the injustices that have remained engrained in our society for far too long, the Kansas City Chiefs will recognize Juneteenth on Friday, June 19th as a holiday,” the team said in a statement. “During this time, the club’s offices will be closed and we will encourage our staff to examine how each of us and our organization can work towards a better future together.”

The Chiefs’ announcement comes three days after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell declared league offices would close to recognize the day as a holiday.

“This year, as we work together as a family and in our communities to combat the racial injustices that remain deeply rooted into the fabric of our society, the NFL will observe Juneteenth on Friday, June 19th as a recognized holiday and our league offices will be closed,” Goodell said in a statement, per ESPN. “It is a day to reflect on our past, but more importantly, consider how each one of us can continue to show up and band together to work toward a better future.”

Nike, Twitter and the Denver Broncos are other organizations that have recently said they would commemorate Juneteenth.