NAACP tells Black athletes to reconsider playing at Florida public universities over anti-DEI policies

The NAACP wants Black student-athletes to reconsider pursuing their talents at Florida colleges after recently banning the usage of government funds for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at public universities.

NAACP President Leon Russell and President and CEO Derrick Johnson signed a letter to the National Collegiate Athletics Association on Monday (NCAA) President Charlie Baker. The NAACP sent its letter ten days after the University of Florida (UF), in accordance with a brand new state law, eliminated all university employees WITH programs..

“It’s not about politics,” he says letter. “This is about protecting our community, advancing our culture, and most importantly, your education and your future.”

“Football, in particular, is more than just a game — it is a multi-billion-dollar industry with the majority of revenue generated by Black student-athletes.” letter reads. “This imbalance of power and profit requires a response, especially since these institutions derive significant financial benefits from the very people they do not support on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. If any institution is to benefit from Black talent, it is only right that it invests wholly in Black futures.”

The NAACP letter follows last week’s tweet about X by the previous Florida Gators football star and University of Florida graduate: Emmitt Smith. “I am completely disgusted by UF’s decision and the precedent it sets. Without the DEI department, the task falls to the Chancellor’s Office, which already has its hands full.”

“We cannot proceed to imagine and trust that a leadership team of the identical ethnicity will make the precise decision when it comes to equality and variety. History has shown that this will not be the case” Blacksmith he wrote.

“To improve our university, we need diverse thinking and experience, and DEI faculty are essential to achieving these goals,” he added Blacksmith. “And for those who think it’s not your problem and stay on the sidelines and don’t say anything, you are complicit in supporting systemic problems.”

A spokesman for Florida’s governor was contacted for comment Ron DeSantis he pointed NBC News to a March 1 tweet from the governor’s account. “DEI is toxic and has no place in our public universities. I’m glad Florida was the first state to eliminate DEI and I hope more states follow suit.”