Is the NFL trying to make nice with the Black community following the announcement of its new controversial new anthem policy, that affects mostly the NFL’s Black players?
The NFL has partnered with Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Howard University in a new program called Campus Connection. The program “aims to provide students with programs and experiences that help prepare them for future careers in professional football administration,” according to a press release.
Campus Connection will begin with the 2018 fall semester and it will give the NFL a presence on campus through several collaborative initiatives.
Among other programs, the two organizations will host an executive lecture series, partner in a student-lab case study class and attend the Howard School of Business Sports & Entertainment Summit.
“Campus Connection” is actually an extension of “Strength of HBCUs,” an NFL’s partnership that debuted in May 2016 with the MEAC and SWAC, two major Historically Black College & Universities (HBCU) athletic conferences. This partnership aims to increase career opportunities for students and athletic administrators. Now Campus Connection will help the NFL work closely with Howard students in offering internships at the club and league level as well as the integration of HBCU football operations staff–including athletic trainers, video directors and equipment managers–into existing NFL platforms such as the Pro Bowl, and networking and mentorship opportunities.
“Campus Connection is part of our ongoing and continuous commitment to celebrating the impact HBCUs have had on the game of professional football, driving awareness around career opportunities, and providing access to the business of sport,” said Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, in the press statement.
“Howard University and the School of Business are excited about the developing partnership with the National Football League and its potentially beneficial opportunities for both organizations,” added Dean Barron Harvey Ph.D., Howard University School of Business. “This collaboration will bring significant rewards to our faculty and students and provide them with great insight into the business of sports, while also developing skilled management professionals to meet the recruitment needs of the NFL. This NFL partnership has great potential and the School of Business is looking forward to our engagement.”
But is this all part of an effort to repair the NFL’s image with the Black community? Many Blacks were angered over the new anthem policy demanding that players stand on the field during the National Anthem, which is in short telling players patriotism is more important than protest. And as Justin L. Mack wrote in the Indy Star, the policy is akin to enslavement.
It all started when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt in 2016 during the National Anthem in protest at racial injustice. A national debate ensued with many taking Kaepernick’s side. Celebrities backed him and other players started kneeling. In response, the league finally issued its new policy.
“A Black man took a stand against police brutality by kneeling, and the response isn’t the league owners gathering to use their endless power and influence in this country to actually address the issues he was trying to raise awareness for,” Mack wrote.
According to Mack, the new police “feels like an across the board ‘be quiet and stay in your place’ moment from the league.”
He added, “It places shackles on the men who figuratively, and in some sad cases literally, kill themselves to play a game that they love, and that we love to watch them play.”
@NFL @panthers trying to make good with folks…lolhttps://t.co/kmiAPNrs3C https://t.co/kmiAPNrs3C
— Maya Akai (@TheSportsChica) June 14, 2018
New partnership between Howard University and the NFL is about jobs
