Emmitt Smith rips Florida, his alma mater, once more for eliminating DEI roles: ‘It’s not even widespread sense’

Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame operating again Emmitt Smith made waves together with his scathing remarks to his alma mater, the College of Florida, after they eradicated all DEI — variety, fairness, and inclusion — roles on the college based mostly off a controversial state legislation handed in 2023.

Smith doubled down on the assertion he made by way of social media throughout an interview with USA TODAY Sports activities, during which the 55-year-old defined why he spoke up when he did. 

“After I see them destroying DEI for the sake of politics…it’s not even widespread sense,” Smith defined. “That is simply sheer out of spite and sheer energy. 

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“On the finish of the day, this nation was constructed on folks preventing for what is correct for everyone, not only a choose few. And with that combat, and with the College of Florida being as seen as it’s, it irked me. To the fullest.”

The controversial state legislation in query was a ban on Florida’s public universities and faculties from any spending on DEI. 

Smith stated that he remembered the college’s president saying, “’Nah, we’re the College of Florida. We’re going to be right here rather a lot longer than you, (Gov.) Ron DeSantis, rather a lot longer than you, Jeb Bush; we’re going to be right here rather a lot longer than some other governor that tries to push one thing of this magnitude down the throats of so many People and so many Florida residents.’”

NFL LEGEND EMMITT SMITH RIPS UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOR ELIMINATING DEI POSITIONS

Sadly for Smith, that isn’t the case now, and he needed to let his voice be generally known as an alumni. 

“I used to be extraordinarily upset,” Smith stated, prefacing that assertion by explaining that he nonetheless feels part of the college after getting his diploma there. “As a result of once I was in school, and all over the place I’ve been, they at all times talked about management…and the way we would have liked to change into leaders — particularly athletes.”

However school athletics definitely isn’t the identical now in comparison with when Smith was lighting it up for the Gators on the gridiron. Title, picture, and likeness (NIL) model offers are permitting student-athletes to money in on their fame. 

To that time, Smith needs Florida to pay up now. 

“Bro, I would like my reparations proper now from the College of Florida,” he stated. “I wish to ship their (expletive) a invoice. I would like curiosity on mine. …While you regarded up in these stands you noticed an entire lot of E. Smith jerseys up there. E. Smith 22s. You possibly can take a look at the previous movies and see what number of jerseys had been strolling round. And I didn’t obtain one pink cent.”

Smith added: “Let’s not speak about dismantling DEI at a time I feel DEI occurs to be a consequence of NIL. You get one, they take the opposite one away. It’s strategic.”

As USA TODAY Sports activities factors out, DEI initiatives have been pulled again not simply in Florida, however different faculties and even company America.

“All of that glided by the wayside,” Smith stated when speaking about DEI in companies, particularly these instituted post-George Floyd’s demise. “In different phrases, they stated, ‘That is for the second.’

“So, what makes you assume they’ll do it now? They’re attempting to eliminate one thing that was a pipeline to opening up the alternatives, even for small and minority companies.”

Smith is aware of from expertise how minority and small companies are being affected contemplating his enterprise acumen together with his actual property endeavors within the Dallas-Fort Value space since his profession ended. 

NFL LEGEND EMMITT SMITH HINTS HE’S FED UP WITH ‘EMBARRASSING’ COWBOYS: ‘I’M DONE’

In his earlier assertion about DEI applications at Florida, Smith despatched a message to “MANY minority athletes at UF,” the place he implored them to “remember and vocal about this choice by the College who’s now closing the doorways on different minorities with none oversight.” He additionally stated those that say nothing are “complicit in supporting systemic points.”

He gave an analogous message to USA TODAY Sports activities. 

“If you’ll go to a college, be sure you go to 1 that’s open-minded,” he stated. “Don’t at all times take into consideration your self. And when you concentrate on others, eager about the choice the College of Florida simply made when it comes all the way down to the DEI program. It may impression your loved ones. It may impression your father and mom, your sister or your homie that’s beginning a enterprise, who needs to do enterprise within the state of Florida.”

Smith was a three-time Tremendous Bowl champion and four-time All-Professional throughout his time with the Dallas Cowboys over his 15-year NFL profession (ultimate two seasons had been performed with the Arizona Cardinals). 

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Smith is the NFL’s all-time main rusher with 18,355 yards amassed over his illustrious profession. 

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