Former Florida and Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith blasted his alma mater in a statement Sunday in response to the university’s controversial firing of its entire Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department Friday.
“I am utterly disgusted by UF’s decision and the precedent that it sets,” Smith wrote on social media. “Without the DEI department, the job falls to the Office of the Provost, who already has their hands full, to raise money for the university and continue to advance the academic studies and athletic programs. We cannot continue to believe and trust that a team of leaders all made up of the same background will make the right decision when it comes to equality and diversity. History has already proven that is not the case.
“Instead of showing courage and leadership, we continue to fail based on systemic issues and with this decision, UF has conformed to the political pressures of today’s time,” he continued.
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) March 3, 2024
Florida made its decision to eliminate all of the DEI positions to “comply with the Florida Board of Governor’s regulation 9.016 on prohibited expenditures.” The board defines DEI as “any program, campus activity, or policy that classifies individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation and promotes differential or preferential treatment of individuals on the basis of such classification,” per the Gainesville Sun.
Additionally, the regulation states that a state university “may not expend any state or federal funds to promote, support, or maintain any programs or campus activities” that violate section 1000.05 of Florida Statutes, advocate for what it defines as diversity, equity, and inclusion, or promote or engage in what it defines as political or social activism.
Smith, the NFL’s all-time rushing leader, finished his statement with a message to the minority athletes currently attending Florida.
“To the MANY, minority athletes at UF, please be aware and vocal about the decision by the University who is now closing the doors on other minorities without any oversight,” Smith wrote. “And to those who think it’s not your problem and stay on the side lines and say nothing, you are complicit in supporting systemic issues.”
