NFL to remove ‘end racism’ slogan from end zones for Super Bowl 59—commissioner stays committed to DEI policies

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed the end zone changes to USA Today Sports explaining that the phrases 'Choose Love' and 'It Takes All of Us' will be inscribed on the back of the end zones, instead.

"The Super Bowl is often a snapshot in time and the NFL is in a unique position to capture and lift the imagination of the country,: McCarthy said in a statement. "'Choose Love' is appropriate to use as our country has endured in recent weeks wildfires in southern California, the terrorist attack here in New Orleans, the plane and helicopter crash near our nation's capital, and the plane crash in Philadelphia."

As part of its "Inspire Change" initiative, the NFL started stenciling "end racism" beneath end zones for the 2020 season openers. The initiatives the following year, and have been featured at nearly every game since 2021. According to The Athletic, "high-level" NFL staffers were informed earlier this week that the tagline would not be used for the upcoming Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.

This comes shortly after President Donald Trump axed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the federal government immediately upon taking office last month. However, the league did not state whether the changes were in response to the president's attendance.

While many businesses across the country decided to roll back their DEI policies upon Trump reentering the White House, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Monday that the NFL would remain committed to its anti-white racist initiatives.

"I am proud in this sense in that I believe our diversity efforts are making the NFL better," Goodell said at the annual state-of-the-NFL press conference, according to Outkick. "It's attracted better talent. We think when we get different perspectives, people with different backgrounds, whether they're women or men or people of color, we make ourselves stronger."

"And we make ourselves better when we have that," he continued. "It's something that I think will have a tremendous impact on this league for many, many years. We win on the field with the best talent and the best coaching and I think the same is true off the field. We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League. And we're going to continue these efforts because we not only convinced ourselves but have proven to ourselves that it does make the NFL better."

"We're not in this because there's a trend to get in or a trend to get out," Goodell said. "Our efforts are fundamental in trying to attract the best possible talent into the National Football League both on and off the field."