12 June 2020

NFL pledges $250 million to tackling systematic racism in United States

The NFL has confirmed it will set aside $250 million to combat systematic racism in the United States.

The money will also be used to ‘support the battle against the ongoing and historic injustices faced by African-Americans’.

It comes just a week after the NFL said players would be free to protest during the national anthem, a movement that started in 2016 when Colin Kaepernick knelt before a match.

The act had originally been banned in May 2018.

Black Lives Matter protests have surfaced all over the country and around the world since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25.

A statement from the NFL read: "The NFL is growing our social justice efforts through a 10-year total $250 million fund to combat systemic racism and support the battle against the ongoing and historic injustices faced by African-Americans.

"The NFL and our clubs will continue to work collaboratively with NFL players to support programs to address criminal justice reform, police reforms, and economic and educational advancement.

"In addition to the financial commitment, we will continue to leverage the NFL Network and all of our media properties to place an increased emphasis on raising awareness and promoting education of social justice issues to our fans and help foster unity."

The 2020 NFL season is not due to get underway until September 10.

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