The NFL announced on Tuesday that it has launched a new initiative for a commitment to social justice called, "Let's Listen Together."
According to a release from the NFL, the group will focus on "supporting programs and initiatives that reduce barriers to opportunity, with a priority on supporting improvements in education and economic development, community and police relations, and the criminal justice system. It will work directly with league staff to help identify future initiatives that have both broad support and a potential for high impact and make financial recommendations accordingly.”
The group's goal will be to highlight social issues, individuals and organizations through players in the NFL. The NFL Network will air features on NFL Total Access, the first of which airs on Thursday, Jan 25th. The program will feature Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins as he discusses issues of racial bias, and social and emotional intelligence training for police officers. Other programs will feature players like New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty, and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin Jr.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that the new initiative will help create meaningful solutions which will improve communities. “In developing this plan, we have taken the lead from our players and are honored to join them in this work. Their work has deepened our understanding of the unique platform we have to help advance progress in a profound and unifying way.”
NFL legend Anquan Boldin celebrated the new player-owner group saying it was long overdue. “Our country has some real issues when it comes to social and racial equality that must be addressed. The only way these issues will get solved is to fight together."
In addition to working on social justice issues, the league's government affairs division will work to provide support to the Players Coalition which assists in criminal justice reform at the local, state and national level.
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