The other day I wrote about the NFL’s stance toward protesting players, and about the league’s history of dealing with race and symbolic patriotism. I did not suggest an overarching solution to any of these problems.
Today, I’ll offer not an instant cure but a move that if orchestrated with intelligence and grace could begin to move the NFL into the 21st century.
The NFL brain trust consists of 33 men — Commissioner Roger Goodell and 32 team owners. Of the 33, only Jaguars owner Shad Khan is not white. He is of Pakistani descent.
The real problem with the makeup of the NFL brain trust is that there is never anyone in their meetings who can speak to the black experience in America.