Denver Broncos President Damani Leach praised the National Football League’s commitment to diversity in the efforts of businesses and governments to reduce diversity, equity and inclusive employment practices.
Leech is one of the four African American presidents on the NFL team.
“I think we’ve all been hired in the last three or four years,” Leach told CNBC Sports from Radiolow in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl 59. “
The Denver Broncos held a press conference on August 29, 2022, to showcase team president Damani Leech in the team auditorium at Uchealth Training Center in Centennial, Colorado.
rj sangosti | Medianews | Denver Post | Getty Images
Earlier this week, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell supported the league’s comprehensive employment practices in 2003, including the Rooney Rules, a policy requiring minority candidates to interview specific coaching and executive positions. .
“I think it proved to ourselves that it makes the NFL even better,” Goodell said this week. “We’re not falling into this because we’re either inclined to get into this or get out of it. Our efforts have put the best possible talent into the National Football League on and off the field. It’s based on trying to attract it.”
Leach repeated the Commissioner’s point of view. He joined the Broncos after three years as the chief operating officer of NFL International from 2019 to 2022.
“I see diversity as a weapon,” Leach said. “I think you’re trying to get the best talent in the room, whether it’s on the field or off the field, and those who don’t do it will do it at their expense. , I think our differences make us better.
Leech’s comments are as various major companies rolled back DEI employment practices. Last month, the Trump administration also directed that all federal DEI staff be placed on paid leave before many people lose their jobs.
