February 4th 2025.
The NFL has been promoting the powerful message of 'End Racism' at every Super Bowl since 2021. However, there has been some controversy surrounding this year's Super Bowl LIX, as the league has reportedly decided to remove the slogan from the end-zone borders. This decision has raised concerns about a potential backlash, especially since the 'End Racism' message has been a staple at the Super Bowl since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021 at Florida's Raymond James Stadium.
Instead of the usual 'End Racism' messaging, this weekend's highly anticipated Super Bowl will feature 'Choose Love' and 'It Takes All of Us' stenciled onto the back of the end zones at the Caesars Superdome, according to The Athletic. The change in messaging has caused some uproar, with reports claiming that high-level NFL employees were only informed of the decision this week. Some have suggested that this move could be seen as a nod to the current political climate, as many corporations and institutions have been abandoning their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the wake of Donald Trump's re-election as president of the United States.
Interestingly, Trump himself is expected to be in attendance at Super Bowl LIX as a guest of New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson. This adds another layer of significance to the decision to switch up the messaging, as Trump recently signed an executive order halting diversity and inclusion programs across the federal government. However, according to NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy, the change in messaging is actually a response to recent tragedies in the country, such as the deadly Los Angeles wildfires and the fatal air collision in Washington DC.
The 'Choose Love' and 'It Takes All of Us' messages were first painted in the end zones during the Chiefs' AFC Championship win against the Buffalo Bills last month. These slogans are part of the NFL's 'Inspire Change' platform, which was launched seven years ago with the aim of promoting diversity and inclusion in the league. This initiative gained even more significance following the murder of George Floyd, which sparked widespread protests and calls for police reform in the US and around the world.
During a pre-Super Bowl LIX press conference, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the league's diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. He emphasized that the league's efforts in this area are not just a trend, but a fundamental part of the NFL's mission to attract the best talent both on and off the field. Goodell also pointed out that these efforts are a reflection of the league's fanbase, communities, and players. He also addressed the Rooney Rule, stating that there is no requirement to hire a particular individual based on race or gender, but the league is committed to considering a diverse pool of candidates for all positions.
As the Chiefs prepare to make history with a potential three-peat on Sunday, all eyes will be on their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He led them to a thrilling victory over the Bills in the AFC Championship, setting up a rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. The Eagles also had an impressive win in the NFC Championship, with quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley leading the team to a dominant 55-23 victory against the Washington Commanders.
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