Diversity group urges NFL players to stop using N-word

Richie Incognito of the Miami Dolphins admitted earlier this month he called a teammate the N-word on a voicemail. Photo By Ron Elkman of Getty Images

The group responsible for promoting diversity within the NFL released a statement Thursday that called for a ban of the N-word from the playing field.

Following racially-charged incidents involving the Washington Redskins and the Miami Dolphins, Harry Carson and John Wooten of the Fritz Pollard Alliance said that “we cannot condone on any level the use of the N-word.”
“As former players (along with thousands of others) who have worked hard in different eras of the game to leave proud legacies for those who follow us,” read the statement, “we are appalled and extremely disappointed to learn that the worst and most derogatory word ever spoken in our country is being used during games as well as casually in the locker room.”

ESPN’s “First Take” discusses the Fritz Pollard Alliance’s demand to ban the N-word from the NFL. Video by ESPN

They added: “We are not asking players to point fingers or to report who said what when. We are simply asking that you respect the dignity of your teammates, fellow players, officials, coaches, fans and yourselves.”

Citing an anonymous source, The Washington Post reported Friday that the NFL was “unlikely” to take disciplinary action against Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams, who was accused by Fritz Pollard Alliance of using the N-word and profanity against umpire Roy Ellison during last Sunday’s game at Philadelphia. Both Williams and Ellison are African-American.

Williams said Thursday that he did not use the slur against the official.