The NFL has been combating racial equality for quite some time, and now the former and current players urge team owners to take more targeted measures. Racial inequality is a battle that has been going on for several decades in many fields, but it still hasn’t reached a desirable point where everyone is satisfied.
The Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Malik Jackson has reiterated an opinion voiced by many people from activists to players. He suggests that owners hire more African American general managers, coaches, and high-ranking executives while presently, there are merely six of those in the entire NFL.
Jackson said that it’s not his place as an employee, and it is tough to tell the owners what to do. However, as an African American, he wishes that there would be more hiring people who looked like him. He says that playing in league with almost 70% of African American players would be nice if the upper management reflected the same.
An attorney and founder of Diverse Representation, Jaia Thomas agrees with Jackson. She applauds the NFL’s external efforts on many initiatives but insists that the league take more internal actions. She says that African American players will continue to feel unheard and frustrated if the decision-making people don’t look like them. She thinks that the only workable solution is to diversify the coaching staff and the upper management and owners.
Joe Ellis, Broncos President CEO, says that we have to remain consistent if a change needs to occur. Talking about it for some time and then losing interest will take us nowhere, and things will always stay the same. Instead of waiting for some trigger that jolts us into action, Joe says that this shouldn’t be dropped, and the message should be pushed until the agenda is achieved.
Activism is a life-long struggle, says Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson. There’s still a long way to go, and owners need to talk in-depth with their players and make decisions for their dependent communities. Most owners don’t realize the profound impact of what is going on and why this goal is being pursued with such determination. So, in order for everyone to get on the same page, the issues need to be discussed candidly with timely decision making.
It takes everyone to bring about change, and unification is the only answer here.
