NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Says League Has No Plans to End DEI Policies: ‘It Does Make the NFL Better’
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday explained why the league has no intentions to end its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Within the first two weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term, DEI has become an even hotter topic. The right continually rail against the DEI movement, claiming it prioritizes diversity over merit when hiring or appointing individuals across a variety of industries. Even before Trump took office, a number of major companies — and some federal agencies — shut down entire departments dedicated to DEI.
During a press conference held days before Super Bowl LIX, Goodell said the NFL will not be following suit.
“Listen, we got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League,” Goodell said when asked about the league’s DEI practices, “and we’re going to continue those efforts because we’ve not only convinced ourselves, I think we’ve proven ourselves that it does make the NFL better; so we’re not in this because it’s a trend to get in or a trend to get out of it. Our efforts are fundamental in trying to attract the best possible talent into the National Football League — both on and off the field, as I said previously — and we see that. We see how it’s benefited the National Football League, so I think we’ll continue those efforts.”
Goodell then referenced the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates when hiring for coaching positions.
“There’s no requirement to hire a particular individual on the basis of race or gender,” he continued. “It’s simply on the basis of looking at a canvas of candidates that reflect our communities, and to look at the kind of talent that exists there; and then you make the best decision on who is hired. And so many of us, including the National Football League at our office, are doing that voluntarily at all levels because it has benefited us; and I hear that from companies on a global basis is that, that’s a very strong hiring practice that we are adopting also.”
Watch above via NFL Network
