Former Florida Gators and Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith had an unbelievable career that landed him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, he has an issue with one of the places he wound up and it has made national headlines.
On Friday, the University of Florida decided to eliminate its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) department as it fired all 13 employees. This decision was made after the Florida Board of Education made a decision that approved rules that prohibited diversity, equity and inclusion spending in Florida College System Institutions. This came after Governor Ron DeSantis banned state funding for DEI in the state’s public universities.
Emmitt Smith was extremely vocal with his opinion on the matter, as he took to his social media to bash the University of Florida’s decision.
“I’m utterly disgusted by UF’s decision and the precedent that it sets. 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 a team full of leaders all made up of the same background will make the right decision when it comes to equality and diversity. History has already proven that is not the case. We need diverse thinking and backgrounds to enhance out University and the DEI department is necessary to accomplish those goals.”
While this may be a financial decision, Emmitt Smith is calling upon the students at the school to make their voices known as well.
“Instead of showing courage and leadership, we continue to fail based on systemic issues and with this decision, UF has comformed to the political pressures of today’s time. To the MANY minority athletes at UF, please be aware and vocal about the decision by the University who is 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 supportung systemic issues.”
It will be interesting to see what happens next and if Emmitt Smith’s comments create more of an outcry among Florida public schools.
How dominant was Emmitt Smith for the Florida Gators?
Despite never winning the Heisman Trophy, Emmitt Smith was a dominant force in college football from 1987-1989. He was ninth in the 1987 Heisman voting and seventh in 1989 before being selected 17th overall in the 1990 NFL draft.
Through three years, he had 700 carries for 3,928 yards (5.6 yards per attempt) for 36 rushing touchdowns as well as 56 receptions for 463 yards (8.3 yards per catch) with a touchdown grab. Smith won the 1989 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and was a one-time All-American. There’s a reason he is recognized as one of the top running backs of all time.
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