But they did so with heavy hearts.
The players and coaches were also hitting the field to honor 9-year-old Z'yon Person.
The Raleigh boy was shot and killed two weeks ago while visiting family in Durham.
The Capital City Steelers wore his initials on their helmets and carried Z'yon's memory in their hearts.
Z'yon wore No. 5 for the Steelers.
No suspects have been arrested in Z'yon's death.