The professional sports world made a bigger effort this year to observe Juneteenth.

Teams and league across the country say that they took the day to recognize something bigger than sports, as they try to come back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s long overdue and we recognize that there’s no day like today to get going on all of this. We’re behind,” says Sky Blue FC general manager Alyse LaHue.

Despite having tournaments starting in the next few weeks, professional soccer clubs Sky Blue FC and the New York Red Bulls both paused operations to observe the day which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

“This has been really eye-opening for me personally as a lead of a club and recognizing what my own Black players have gone through and maybe not spending as much time understanding that historically,” says LaHue.

In the NFL, the Giants and Jets tweeted that their offices were closed and encouraged fans and employees to reflect on how they can have a positive impact on social and racial justice.

The New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers also announced that Juneteenth will be recognized as a permanent company holiday.

“Sports are one of the greatest unifiers of the community and of people, so I think utilizing this platform is important for us to continue to speak within the space, to allow our players space to feel comfortable to speak up,” says LaHue.

The four main professional sports leagues also announced that Juneteenth will be a paid company holiday.