Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, AZ, USA; A general view of the Philadelphia Eagles logo in the end zone before Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Congratulations everyone, we did it!
After courageously ending racism by painting "End Racism" in the back of end zones for several years, the NFL is moving on. The Athletic reported Tuesday ($) that the message will no longer appear on the field.
In this year's Super Bowl, the end zones will read "Choose Love" and "It Takes All of Us."
"The switch could be perceived as a nod to the current political climate," writes The Athletic's Michael Silver. "Following the lead of recently inaugurated President Donald Trump and his administration, many corporations and institutions are abandoning their diversity, equity and inclusion programs. While Goodell said Monday he was 'proud' of the league’s diversity efforts, the decision to do away with 'End Racism' as a slogan led at least one high-ranking league official to express concern in light of Trump’s divisive words on the subject."
© Kirby Lee | 2025 Feb 3Trump is expected to attend Super Bowl LIX as a guest of New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson, Silver notes.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy indicated the decision to switch messages was based on "sensitivity to recent tragedies," such as the New Year's Eve terror attack in New Orleans and the California wildfires.
It was not immediately clear why the NFL believes its previous messaging about racism was insensitive with respect to recent tragedies.
