Target: Roger Goodell, Commissioner of NFL
Goal: Do not erase efforts to prevent racial and gender discrimination in hiring practices.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly intervened to prevent at least six distinguished military service members from moving up the ranks to general. The six candidates had one thing in common: they were either women or people of color. All individuals were allegedly removed from a promotion list by Hegseth, which is considered a highly unusual means of personal interference…but perhaps not for the secretary, whose greatest claim to fame prior to his appointment consisted of inflammatory media appearances and writings in which he consistently derided the military as “woke” and “weak” because of its diversity. The actions of the Secretary of Defense, who has faced backlash about his own qualifications for the job, perhaps serve as the strongest example of why hiring policies that strive to include minority candidates are still needed.
The state of Florida has recently challenged such policies in another public sector: the world of professional sports. Florida’s attorney general has essentially ordered the National Football League (NFL) to cease its use of the Rooney Rule. The rule mandates that teams interview – not hire — at least one female and minority candidate for all front office positions. But in an audacious claim, the attorney general has decided that giving candidates traditionally excluded from such positions even an opportunity is somehow a violation of civil rights. Notably missing from the attorney general’s latest culture war pivot is any evidence that the rule intended as a move against discrimination has in any way adversely impacted a single person.
Sign the petition below to urge the NFL to hold strong in its support for diversity and equal opportunity.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Commissioner Goodell,
“One thing that doesn’t change is for our values, and we believe that diversity has been a benefit to the National Football League.” You recently made this assertion in response to Florida’s challenge of the Rooney Rule. Please honor these words and do not give in to an attorney general who has spent months attacking companies who value equal opportunity while trying to make his name off of cheap culture war wedge issues.
Striving for a workforce that reflects the contributions of all Americans is a cause for commendation, not condemnation.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Sean P. Twomey
