Former NFL running back Emmitt Smith raged over the weekend in response to the University of Florida firing all its employees working in the diversity, equity, and inclusion office at the school.
The school made the move to be in compliance with a law that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pushed for that bans schools from being able to use federal and state taxpayer money for the racist initiative.
“I’m utterly disgusted by UF’s decision and the precedent that it sets,” Emmitt said in a statement. “Without the DEI department, the job falls to the Office of the Provost, who already has their hands full, to raise money for the university and continue to advance the academic studies and athletic programs. We cannot continue to believe and trust that a team of leaders all made up of the same background will make the right decision when it comes to equality and diversity.”
Smith claimed that “history has already proven” that those who come from the same background cannot make good decisions when it comes to equality and diversity.
“We need diverse thinking and backgrounds to enhance our University and the DEI department is necessary to accomplish those goals,” he claimed. “Instead of showing courage and leadership, we continue to fail based on systemic issues and with this decision, UF has conformed to the political pressures of today’s time.”
Smith then addressed the “MANY minority athletes” at the school by falsely claiming that the school was “now closing the doors on other minorities without any oversight.”
“And to those who think it’s not your problem and stay on the side lines and say nothing, you are complicit in supporting systemic issues,” he claimed.