Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices are currently a heated political issue. Despite efforts from President Donald Trump and his administration to eliminate diversity initiatives across various sectors, Ryan Clark has praised NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for resisting these political pressures.
Goodell, known for avoiding polarizing political stances, confirmed this week that the NFL will not feature an “End Racism” message in one of the Super Bowl endzones while Trump attends as a guest of New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson. Yet, he defended the league’s diversity initiatives in his annual Super Bowl press conference, highlighting their positive impact on the NFL, a stance that was applauded by Ryan Clark on his podcast, The Pivot, especially given today’s cultural climate.
Roger Goodell stood strong when asked if the NFL would halt diversity efforts amidst President Trump’s campaign against DEI. I appreciated the commissioner’s stance, & more importantly his reasoning. Having a diverse group of representation makes the NFL better!
The NFL is 53%… pic.twitter.com/ifB2rrLA41
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) February 5, 2025
In response to Trump’s actions, which he described as an “assault and an attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Clark emphasized how significant it was for Goodell to assert, “diversity has been good for us.” He noted the upliftment of minority groups within the NFL has enhanced the game. Furthermore, Clark discussed the importance of the league’s diversity efforts, particularly regarding coaching opportunities. Although the NFL is striving to make progress, this offseason has seen criticism of the Rooney Rule regarding its effectiveness in hiring practices, with Clark himself labeling it a “joke.”
Clark added that prior to DEI initiatives, many qualified candidates were overlooked due to systematic inequalities. He pointed out that while the NFL is 53% African-American, only 36% of assistant coaches reflect this diversity, often comprising former players. Reflecting on recent hiring cycles, he remarked that Aaron Glenn was the only African-American coach hired.
Clark also referenced the Trump administration to underline Goodell’s decision to champion the NFL’s diversity initiatives, claiming it was about finding the most qualified individuals for roles—contrary to narratives propagated by Trump and his supporters. He stated, “When Roger Goodell stands up and emphasizes that our initiatives are separate from Trump’s attacks on DEI, he need only look at Trump’s cabinet. Are they truly the most qualified for their positions? Their appointments only reinforce the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Though Clark did not specify names, it’s presumed he was referring to individuals like Fox News weekend host Pete Hegseth, who became Secretary of Defense, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who heads the Department of Health and Human Services. With Goodell publicly backing the NFL’s DEI initiatives, it will be intriguing to see if there is any backlash from Washington against one of America’s most favored sports and entertainment entities.
