We, the NFL, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of Black People. We, the NFL, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the NFL, believe Black Lives Matter. #InspireChange pic.twitter.com/ENWQP8A0sv
— NFL (@NFL) June 5, 2020
The message got through.
A day after NFL players posted a video asking the league to condemn racism, admit wrong in previous attempts to silence peaceful protests and to affirm that black lives matter, Commissioner Roger Goodell responded with a mea culpa.
Repeating the players’ words back to them, Goodell said the following:
“We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people,” he said. “We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all players to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the National Football League, believe that black lives matter.”
The part about peaceful protest is especially significant, considering the league did not stand behind Colin Kaepernick, who peacefully protested during the national anthem to bring awareness to racial injustice. Kaepernick was never re-signed after becoming a free agent in 2017, and sued the league for collusion, eventually settling out of court. Since 2018, kneeling during the national anthem has been outlawed by the league. It’s hard to imagine that rule will still be in place come September.
“Without black players, there would be no National Football League, and the pros around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of black players, coaches, fans and staff,” Goodell continued. “We are listening. I am listening. And I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on how we can improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family.”