A Kansas City Chiefs cornerback has joined a series of footballers drawing attention to racial inequality after he raised his fist during the national anthem before an NFL game.

Marcus Peters' gesture stood out against team mates who interlocked their arms during the anthem before their season opener against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, which coincided with the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

The 23-year-old's gesture recalled the raised fists demonstration by black athletes Toni Smith and John Carlos during their medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.

The gesture was the latest in a series of protests by NFL players in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the protests against injustice and police brutality when he refused to stand for The Star Spangled Banner during preseason games.

Other players have also made signs of protest, including Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall who failed to stand for the national anthem ahead of an NFL game on Thursday.

Also on Sunday, four Miami Dolphins, including running back Arian Foster, kneeled down during the playing of the national anthem before their game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Peters, signalled on Friday that he may protest before the game, telling reporters: “I salute Colin for what he’s doing for a great cause. I’m 100 per cent behind him. What’s going on in law enforcement, it does need to change and it does need to change for everybody, not just us as black Americans," the Guardian reports.

The protesting players have been praised as allies of the Black Lives Matter movement, which grew in response to a string of high-profile police killings of unarmed black people across the country.

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However, some players have received backlash over the protests, with some fans viewing the gestures as disrespecting the US flag, the military, and the country.

Marshall has faced criticism for his actions on Thursday and lost an endorsement from a sponsor two days later.

On Sunday, the Chiefs said in a statement they decided to lock arms as a sign of solidarity after having a number of "thoughtful discussions" as a group about how to behave.

"It was our goal to be unified as a team and to be respectful of everyone's opinions, and the remembrance of 9/11.

"It's our job as professional athletes to make a positive impact on our communities and to be proactive when change is needed."

To mark the 15th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks, the league said it will play videotaped messages from President Barack Obama and his predecessor, George W. Bush, before each game, and a 9/11 decal will be placed on players' helmets.