NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Monday he had no plans to scale back on diversity programs, after U.S. President Donald Trump called for similar initiatives to be dismantled within the federal government and urged private companies to do the same.
Trump last month issued a sweeping executive order directing federal agencies to terminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and some private companies have ended or scaled back DEI initiatives, fearing a conservative backlash.
Facing reporters in a wide-ranging media conference ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl in New Orleans, Goodell said the most popular professional league in the country had no interest in following suit.
“I believe that our diversity efforts have led to making the NFL better…it's attracted better talent," said Goodell, speaking from the Caesars Superdome, where the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday (February 9).
“We think we're better when we get different perspectives, people with different backgrounds, whether they're women or men or people of color.”
Trump says 'only two genders', will end diversity programs
The NFL has been dogged for years by criticism over its homogenous coaching ranks and in 2020 expanded its so-called "Rooney Rule" to improve diversity, part of a years-long effort.
It adopted several resolutions aimed at boosting diversity among coaching and front-office personnel in 2022.
The comments stood in opposition to Trump, who suggested without evidence last week that a deadly mid-air collision between two aircraft in Washington was the result of diversity efforts at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
Goodell also backed his staff of NFL officials amid criticism from fans online accusing the Super Bowl matchup of being fixed or “scripted.”
“I think the men and women that officiate in the NFL are outstanding,” Goodell said. “It's a ridiculous theory for anyone who might take it seriously.”
Trump blames deadly Washington air collision on 'diversity'
(Production: Evan Garcia)