The NFL didn't End Racism; they just decided it was Bad for Business
Ah, the Super Bowl: America's most hallowed secular holiday, when corporate titans, celebrities, and the common fan all coalesce in blue-lit awe of multi-million-dollar ad spectacles, halftime spectaculars, and yeah-football. This year, though, the league pulled its own trick play-off, with very little fanfare, taking its once-prominent "End Racism" messaging from the end zones. Why? Well, because in what feels like 2025, it would appear acknowledging racism is too "divisive." That is like replacing signs saying "Stop Smoking" with "Breathe Freely." Yeah, it may sound nice, but the thing is, it does absolutely nothing to change your addiction.
For those keeping score at home, this is the same league that has spent the last few years wrapping itself in the language of diversity, equity, and inclusion like a warm, profitable blanket. Only a short time ago, the NFL was painting "End Racism" in stadiums and airing polished commercials about social justice, all while raking in billions from a diverse audience. But now, with corporate America and government officials making a mad scramble away from their DEI commitments faster than a quarterback scrambling away from an oncoming blitz, the NFL has ruled that taking racism out of the end zone was the correct call. Voilà . Racism is no more.
The NFL's decision comes in the midst of a greater cultural and political backlash against DEI programs.
State legislatures are stealing funding from diversity programs, CEOs have suddenly become allergic to the word "equity," and corporations that bragged about their work for inclusion are quietly scrubbing their websites clean of any evidence of racial justice initiatives. Against that backdrop, the NFL's decision makes complete sense if one's goal is to placate the powerful forces that view basic calls for equality as some sort of existential threat. But let's be clear: the phrase "End Racism" was never a radical demand. It wasn't even a demand, really-just a vague, feel-good slogan meant to assure fans (and, more importantly, advertisers) that the NFL cared about something more than money. The fact that even this is now considered too much for the league to stand behind is a telling sign of the times. Of course, the NFL insists this decision isn't political. No, just like Colin Kaepernick's continued absence from the league isn't political. Just like the Rooney Rule, which was designed to promote diversity in hiring but often treated like a box-checking exercise, it isn't political. If we've learned anything from the NFL, it's that they only do things for the love of the game, and by game, we mean corporate sponsorships.
Replacing Racism with Love?
So, instead, what does the NFL come up with instead of the prior messaging? "Inspire Change" and "It Takes All of Us." Because we know that is exactly how one effectively combats racism-with a fine team effort and a nice talk. Why bother with actual changes to confront system inequity when one could simply exchange that message with words softer, nicer, and free of any sense of accountability?
The idea here seems to be that if we just stop talking about racism, it will simply cease to exist. Like a bad referee call; just pretend it didn't happen and move on. The NFL is banking on the idea that people are too distracted by game-day snacks and Taylor Swift sightings to notice or care about this reversal. And you know what? They're probably right.
Will Black American Fans Boycott?
Absolutely not! At the end of the day, the passion that Black America has for football far outweighs any sense of accountability. The NFL could easily replace its "End Racism" slogan with something like "Whatever Happens, Happens," and the vast majority of fans would hardly flinch. Despite all the discussions and criticisms surrounding corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the Super Bowl remains an unparalleled event that brings people together. No one is going to forsake their beloved wings, cold beers, or the excitement of the halftime show just because of a message displayed in the end zone. To make matters worse, the community in our neighborhoods isn’t going to stop supporting corner stores, liquor stores, nail salons, wig shops, or beauty supply stores, especially those that aren’t owned and operated by us. The NFL knows this. That's why they made the switch-not because it's the right thing to do, but because they calculated they could get away with it. The league has mastered the art of just enough activism to appear progressive but never so much that it risks alienating its biggest financial backers.
So, enjoy the spectacle this Sunday. Enjoy the commercials selling you beer and trucks and the American Dream. And when those new, focus-grouped slogans show up in the end zone, remember one thing: the NFL didn't end racism; they just decided it was bad for business.
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