NFL removes ‘End Racism’ message from Super Bowl LIX field

The NFL will remove the “End Racism” message from the Super Bowl LIX field, according to Michael Silver of The Athletic. Instead, the messages “Choose Love and “It Takes All of Us” will be on the back of the end zones at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Silver said the move to not have “End Racism” on the field could be because of President Donald Trump and his administration. Trump has had “divisive words” on the subject, and many corporations and institutions are abandoning their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. Trump is expected to be at the Super Bowl to see the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy indicated the decision was based on the sensitivity of recent tragedies, including the terrorist attack in New Orleans, the wildfires in Los Angeles and the air collision near Reagan National Airport near Washington D.C.

“We felt it was an appropriate statement for what the country has collectively endured, given recent tragedies, and can serve as an inspiration,” McCarthy said, who noted that “Choose Love” and “It Takes All of Us” appeared in the AFC Championship in Kansas City.

NFL added ‘End Racism’ message to the fields in 2020

The NFL added the messages “End Racism,” “It Takes All of Us,” “Stop Hate,” “Choose Love” and “Vote” to the fields in 2020. It was part of an effort to promote diversity and inclusion and were initiated following the murder of George Floyd, and unarmed Black man, by a Minneapolis police officer. The death of Floyd led to nationwide protests against police brutality.

“As we continue to amplify and elevate the NFL’s ongoing and long-term commitment to social justice, we will be incorporating several prominent elements on the field, into all broadcasts and across league and club platforms to begin the NFL season and beyond,” the NFL said in a memo at the time. “In developing these concepts, we have worked directly with players and received input from the NFLPA.”

On Monday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell talked about diversity in the NFL. “We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League, and we’re going to continue those efforts because we’ve not only convinced ourselves, I think we’ve proven ourselves that it does make the NFL better,” Goodell told reporters during his Super Bowl LIX press conference. “So, we’re not in this because it’s a trend to get in or a trend to get out of it, our efforts are fundamental in trying to attract the best possible talent into the National Football League, both on and off the field, as I said previously. And we see that. We see how it’s benefited the National Football League.”