There are 32 teams in the NFL. Each team can have 53 players on their roster, making the total players in the NFL 1,693. As of 2021 70% of the active players, or 1,187 were black. This is an outrage! And-it does not represent the population of the US. Numbers as blatant as these can only indicate systemic racism against whites and Hispanics. The population of the US is 70% white, including white Hispanics. Blacks make up 12% of the US population.
This is an intolerable situation for the NFL. America deserves better. Leaders in the NFL must remediate the problem effective immediately. These are some of the actions the NFL must take:
1.Accept responsibility for this racial injustice.
2. Develop specific goals to bring the percentages in line with the racial goal of equality. The league must overhaul its drafting practices to recruit more whites and Hispanics effective immediately. Each team must be required to set racial goals for player representations based on race.
3. The league must develop specific programs at the high school and college levels to encourage and mentor white and Hispanic players. Summer camps, mentoring programs, funding for training and development of white and Hispanic players must be implemented.
4. Critically review player skills tests at events like the NFL Combine to remove racial bias. Black players perform better than whites and Hispanics on many of the skills tests. The data is clear and shows inherent disparities within these tests. Whites and Hispanics are being marginalized. Since the % white and Hispanic players invited to the Combine and participating in the skills tests is grossly underrepresented, the NFL must take action to significantly increase the number of white players.
5. The NFL must implement training programs regarding the inclusion of white and Hispanic players and to improve the league’s understanding of the white and Hispanic cultures.
6. The hiring practices for NFL coaching staffs must also reflect the US population. The league should require NFL owners to hire 70% white coaches and 12% black coaches. The remaining coaching slots should go to other marginalized groups.
I will send the NFL Commissioner, Roger Godell, my findings, notes and suggestions. I hope he will take action.
FOOTNOTE: Or- the NFL can continue to use merit for player recruitment and coaching hires! Merit will always trump other considerations and produce the best quality outcome!!
High Truths and Low Lies 