Rush Calls for Hearing on NFL Racism Allegations by Former Miami Dolphins Coach Brian Flores
Rush Calls for Hearing on NFL Racism Allegations by Former Miami Dolphins Coach Brian Flores (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.), a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and member of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, called for a hearing on the issue of systemic racism in the National Football League (NFL) in light of former Miami Dolphins Coach Brian Flores’ recent lawsuit alleging racial discrimination on the part of the NFL.
“While 70 percent of National Football League (NFL) players are Black, it is unacceptable and reprehensible that, after the recent firing of Houston Texans Head Coach David Culley and Miami Dolphins Head Coach Brian Flores, we are left with only 1 Black head coach in the NFL out of the 32 head coaching positions. Incredibly, there has never been a Black owner of an NFL team,” Rush wrote today in a letter to U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, which has jurisdiction over professional sports.
Lack of Diversity
“I am afraid that this lack of diversity is not a coincidence or a mere accident, but more systemic in nature. Simply put, this is bold-faced racism,” Rush continued. “Coach Flores is risking his career to raise allegations of racism against the NFL, as did Colin Kaepernick when he protested police violence against Black men and boys. The firing of David Culley and Brian Flores are not unique. These are allegations that surface time and time again.”
“It is the responsibility of this Subcommittee — given our jurisdiction over professional sports — to shine a bright light on these allegations and to thoroughly investigate these concerns,” Rush concluded. “As such, I urge you to swiftly hold a hearing on the issue of systemic racism in the NFL, especially as it relates to ownership, coaching, and general management positions.”
The full text of the letter is available HERE.
Rush Calls for Hearing on NFL Racism Allegations by Former Miami Dolphins Coach Brian Flores
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