NFL to Remove ‘End Racism’ Slogan From End Zones for Super Bowl LIX, but Remains Committed to DEI Policies
The National Football League (NFL) has confirmed that the end zones for Super Bowl LIX will no longer feature the “End Racism” slogan, which has been displayed at games since 2020.
Instead, the league will inscribe the phrases “Choose Love” and “It Takes All of Us” in the end zones at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, where the championship game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will take place this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. EST.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy announced the changes to USA Today Sports, citing a shift in messaging.
“The Super Bowl is often a snapshot in time and the NFL is in a unique position to capture and lift the imagination of the country,” McCarthy said in a statement.
“‘Choose Love’ is appropriate to use as our country has endured in recent weeks wildfires in southern California, the terrorist attack here in New Orleans, the plane and helicopter crash near our nation’s capital, and the plane crash in Philadelphia.”
The “End Racism” tagline was first introduced as part of the league’s “Inspire Change” initiative following the death of George Floyd in 2020, The Post Millennial’s Katie Daviscourt highlighted.
The phrase was included beneath the end zones starting with the 2020 season opener and has remained a fixture at most NFL games since 2021.
“High-level” NFL staffers were informed earlier this week that the slogan would not be used at this year’s Super Bowl, per Daviscourt.
The decision follows the recent executive order by President Donald Trump to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies in the federal government immediately after taking office last month, TTOA previously reported.
The league did not explicitly state whether the decision to remove the “End Racism” slogan was connected to Trump’s attendance at the Super Bowl, which was confirmed in an announcement earlier this week.
Many businesses across the country have reevaluated and, in some cases, rolled back their DEI policies following Trump’s return to the White House.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, however, reaffirmed the league’s commitment to its diversity efforts at the annual state-of-the-NFL press conference on Monday.
“I am proud in this sense in that I believe our diversity efforts are making the NFL better,” Goodell stated, according to Outkick.
“It’s attracted better talent. We think when we get different perspectives, people with different backgrounds, whether they’re women or men or people of color, we make ourselves stronger.”
Goodell emphasized that the league’s focus on diversity was not dictated by political trends but by a commitment to fostering talent and inclusion.
“And we make ourselves better when we have that,” he added.
“It’s something that I think will have a tremendous 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 off the field.”
“We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League. And we’re going to continue these efforts because we not only convinced ourselves but have proven to ourselves that it does make the NFL better,” Goodell continued.
The commissioner dismissed speculation that the league would shift its stance on diversity policies following recent political changes.
“We’re not in this because there’s a trend to get in or a trend to get out,” Goodell said.
“Our efforts are fundamental in trying to attract the best possible talent into the National Football League both on and off the field.” The upcoming Super Bowl has drawn significant attention due to the shift in messaging, as well as Trump’s scheduled attendance.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
Leave a Comment