NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the league’s policy of diversity, justice and inclusion (DEI) during a pre-Super Bowl Lix press conference with media members on Monday.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end DEI programs across the federal government in his first few days back in the White House.
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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference, Monday, February 3, 2025, in New Orleans, in front of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football match between Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Goodell was asked about the league’s commitment to diversity at the press conference.
“We got into the diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League, and we will continue these efforts because we have not only convinced ourselves, we have proven it to make it better, NFL, “Said Goodell. “We are not in this because it is a tendency to get in or a tendency to get out of it.
“Our endeavors are fundamental to trying to attract the best possible talent in the National Football League both on and off the field, as I said earlier. We see it. We see how it benefits the National Football League and then I think we will continue this effort.
Goodell said the league’s DEI effort was a reflection of the foundation of the league.
“I think it’s also clearly a reflection on our fanbase and our community and our players. People talk a lot about Rooney rule … For us there is no requirement to hire a particular individual on the basis of race or Gender. .
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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference, Monday, February 3, 2025, in New Orleans, in front of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football match between Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Matt York)
“So many of us, including the National Football League in our office, do it voluntarily at all levels because it has benefited us”
With Trump Nixing Dei efforts in the government, some companies have rolled back their own initiatives. Walmart, McDonald’s Amazon, Ford and Lowe are just some of these companies.
Goodell was asked if there would be any foundation between the league and its business sponsors if companies roll back DEI initiatives.
“We do not make policies for our sponsors or any of the companies or networks or partners that we are dealing with,” he said. “We have a lot of conversations about the importance of it for us. We will of course take everything into consideration … There are a lot of companies that have been bound to so -called to change their diversity policy and have not really called it directly. There are many conversations going on about it.
Goodell said he didn’t have time to reflect on his role in the NFL’s diversity obligation, but thought it made the league better.
“I’m proud of it in this sense – I think our diversity efforts have led to make NFL better. It has attracted better talent. We think we are better when we get different perspectives, people with different Backgrounds, whether they are women or men or people in color – we make ourselves stronger and we do better when we have it, ”he said.
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“It’s something I think will have a huge impact on this league for many, many years. We win on the field with the best talent and the best coaching, and I think the same is true from the field.”
