The National Football League has decided to replace the "End Racism" message in the end zones for this year's Super Bowl with new slogans.
GB News reported that the upcoming Super Bowl LIX will feature "Choose Love" and "It Takes All of Us" instead of the previous "End Racism" message.
The decision marks a notable shift in the league’s social messaging, which began prominently including anti-racism themes following the racial justice movements in 2020. The game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy confirmed the change, noting that the switch to different messages was a deliberate response to a series of national crises.
The new slogans aim to reflect a collective experience and inspire unity while quietly distancing the NFL from increasingly unpopular leftist messaging.
McCarthy explained, "The Super Bowl is often a snapshot in time and the NFL is in a unique position to capture and lift the imagination of the country."
He added that the shift in messages was seen as fitting given recent events including natural disasters and terrorist threats.
According to McCarthy, the introduction of messages like "Choose Love" specifically responds to the recent wave of tragedies the nation has faced, such as the wildfires in southern California and the terrorist attack in New Orleans.
The "End Racism" message was initially introduced in NFL end zones during the 2020 season openers, part of the broader "Inspire Change" initiative. Since 2021, it has been a fixture in Super Bowl end zones to advocate for racial equity and awareness.
At this year's AFC and NFC championship games, hosted by the Chiefs and Eagles respectively, the NFL showcased the different approaches each team took regarding the message; the Chiefs did not include "End Racism" while the Eagles did.
Brian McCarthy emphasized that although the specific message may change, the underlying commitment of the league remains. "We felt it was an appropriate statement for what the country has collectively endured," he stated.
Amid these changes, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke on behalf of the league's dedication to diversity. While former President Donald Trump, a critic of the league's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, is expected to attend the Super Bowl, Goodell defended the league’s position.
Goodell articulated that the NFL's commitment to diversity is sustained and deep-rooted, not merely a reaction to trends or external pressures.
"We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League," he explained, asserting, "We’re going to continue those efforts because we've not only convinced ourselves, I think we’ve proven that it does make the NFL better."
The commissioner also reassured that the league’s initiatives are enduring, "We're not in this because it's a trend to get in or a trend to get out of it," he added, highlighting the ongoing focus despite the change in messaging at the Super Bowl.
The alteration of messages at such a high-profile event as the Super Bowl raises questions about the NFL's approach to addressing socially significant issues moving forward. While the change reflects current events, it also prompts discussions about the balance between activism and appealing to a broad audience.