Roger Goodell Sends Memo To All Teams Acknowledging Diversity Policies Inadequate

On Saturday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell dispatched a statement to all team executives and club presidents, acknowledging that the league’s policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion have fallen short and need to be reevaluated.

“Racism and any form of discrimination is contrary to the NFL’s values. We have made significant efforts to promote diversity and adopted numerous policies and programs which have produced positive change in many areas, however, we must acknowledge that particularly with respect to head coach the results have been unacceptable,” Goodell said in the memo. “We will reevaluate and examine all policies, guidelines, and initiatives relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including as they relate to gender. We are retaining outside experts to assist in this review and will also solicit input from current and former players and coaches, advocates, and other authorities in this area.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell just sent this memo to clubs, saying the league is retaining outside experts to help reevaluate its DEI policies and matters regarding integrity of the game will be “reviewed thoroughly and independently” in light of allegations from Brian Flores. pic.twitter.com/VUK2dm0MMe

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 5, 2022

Goodell’s statement, which he sent to all 32 clubs, acknowledges former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores’ class-action lawsuit. The NFL issued a statement last week denying Flores’ claims, stating they are “without merit.”

“We understand the concerns expressed by Coach Flores and others this week. While the legal process moves forward, we will not wait to reassess and modify our strategies to ensure that they are consistent with our values and longstanding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” it continued. “In particular, we recognize the need to understand the lived experiences of diverse members of the NFL family to ensure that everyone has access to opportunity and is treated with respect and dignity.”

Goodell also referenced a claim by Flores that he was given a $100,000 bonus per loss in 2019. The commissioner said the league takes “seriously any issue relating to the integrity” of games. According to him, the matter will be reviewed by independent experts, and he expects full cooperation.

Following his recent firing, Flores is suing the NFL, the Dolphins, Denver Broncos, and New York Giants. He is suing the Broncos over an interview he had in 2019 and a “sham” interview with the Giants last month.

NFL Network reported Mike Garafolo posted a statement by Flores’ attorneys Doug Wigdor and John Elefterakis following Goodell’s memo. The statement called Goodell’s memo a public relations stunt rather than meaningful change.

“We would be pleased to talk to the Commissioner about real change, but unfortunately, he has not reached out to us to engage in such discussion,” the statement read, in part. “In fact, nobody from the NFL has reached out to us. Absent such a discussion followed by unbiased and concrete change, we believe that a court or governmental agency must order a federal monitor to oversee the NFL as the NFL cannot continue to police itself.”

Statement from Doug Wigdor and John Elefterakis, attorneys for Brian Flores, in response to today’s NFL statement. pic.twitter.com/mCzFrXN1UC

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 5, 2022