Fans of the National Football League can expect to see a series of “social justice” messages once again emblazoned on the back of endzones this season.
It’s all part of the NFL’s “Inspire Change” initiative that’s “aimed at reducing barriers to opportunity, particularly in communities of color, and showcasing how the NFL family is working together to create positive change.”
The phrase, “It Takes All of Us” will be displayed in one of the endzones of every game. Home teams will then have the option of stenciling one of the following four statements at the opposite end of the field:
“End Racism,” “Stop Hate,” “Choose Love” or “Inspire Change.”
These are the same messages the program featured last year, with the exception of the last one, which was originally “Vote Change.”
The “Inspire Change” initiative was first launched in 2019. It grew out of various controversies, including former San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s claims of “systemic racism” in both the league and elsewhere. In response, the NFL pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to several organizations that were perceived to be helpful in addressing areas of concern.
The endzone messages are just one high profile manifestation of the campaign – but a controversial one that may well not only fail to accomplish its objectives, but maybe even do more harm than good.
There’s evidence fans have grown weary over being lectured to when it comes to specious claims, especially the insinuation that racism or hatred are running rampant in the NFL or the culture at large. The empty, bumper-sticker-type slogans ring hollow.
For Christians, especially, there is no tolerance for animus towards anyone over skin color, sexual confusion or other differences. Setting aside the occasional bad actor and behavior, where is the evidence that such broad declarations are even needed or would be effective?
To whom is the NFL directing their messages? It’s a shallow, token public relations stunt that understandably offends the sensibilities of fans – and turns off the very people they presumably want to entertain.
If the NFL is serious about addressing widespread issues in the league and elsewhere, they could do a lot better than the slogans they’re currently peddling.
May we suggest two:
“End Domestic Violence.”
“All Life is Sacred”
In recent years, the NFL has made changes to its personal conduct policy after dozens of its players were being arrested each year for domestic violence. Last fall, the league announced they had seen arrests drop in half from an average of 69 per year to 34.
This is a positive trajectory, but it still represents an enormous amount of hurt and heartache. To date, there has been no such onslaught of incidents of racism or hatred. So why has the NFL chosen to turn over the endzone space to vacuous slogans instead?
While the NFL saw viewership drop by 2% last year, the sport still commands a massive weekly audience. Surrendering its real estate to patronizing phrases will do little, if anything, to solve social problems – and likely further drive away viewers fed up with its lectures.
But if the league is open to reconsidering its current campaign, we might also suggest one more slogan for the endzone that is sure to stem the backlash that erupted this past week in Minnesota. This past weekend, the Vikings debuted a male dancer who joined the females, pompoms and all:
“No More Male Cheerleaders.”
Image from Getty.
