New Orleans Saints kneel during tribute to murdered hero, Officer Marcus McNeil. (Kneeling photo from prior game in London)

New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Saints players kneeled before the game on Sunday, but it wasn’t during the national anthem, it was during a tribute to murdered New Orleans PD Officer Marcus McNeil.

Fans booed as players knelt during the moment of silence for Officer McNeil.

The players then stood for the national anthem, according to NOLA.com .

NOTE: The kneeling photo used is from a prior game. For a photo from today, see NOLA.com.

Sunday’s game of Saints vs. Lions was the first game at the Superdome since President Trump said that kneelers should be fired.

None of the Lions players kneeled.

New Orleans Police Department Officer Marcus McNeil, 29, was ambushed and murdered early Friday morning.

The incident happened just after midnight when a group of three officers on patrol spotted something suspicious.

Officer McNeil stepped out of his car to investigate and a gunman opened fire, shooting the officer repeatedly.

Other officers returned fire, shooting the suspect, who then ran into an apartment.

The gunman remained barricaded in the apartment until he eventually surrendered to a SWAT team.

Officer McNeil was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Officer Marcus McNeil leaves behind his wife, Brittiny, and two small children.

Brittiny told New Orleans Magazine that Officer McNeil had always wanted to join New Orleans PD because he wanted to make a difference in the city which is plagued with crime and poverty.

Officer McNeil’s killer was identified as Darren Bridges. His motive is not known at this time.

It’s not clear at this time if the Saints players intended to kneel during the tribute to Officer McNeil, of it they were just too dense to realize when they were kneeling.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Officer McNeil.

UPDATE: Coach Payton has responded.