Broncos coach Vic Fangio apologizes for comments on discrimination in NFL

Following the killing of George Floyd, the African-American man who died while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25, Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio made headlines when he said, "I don’t see racism at all in the NFL, I don’t see discrimination in the NFL."

Fangio's full comments:

"I think our problems in the NFL along those lines are minimal. We’re a league of meritocracy, you earn what you get, you get what you earn. I don’t see racism at all in the NFL, I don’t see discrimination in the NFL. We all live together, joined as one, for one common goal, and we all intermingle and mix tremendously. If society reflected an NFL team, we’d all be great."

Fangio's words were met with widespread criticism, and he addressed them via an official club statement on Wednesday:

"After reflecting on my comments yesterday and listening to the players this morning, I realize what I said regarding racism and discrimination in the NFL was wrong. While I have never personally experienced those terrible things first-hand during my 33 years in the NFL, I understand that many players, coaches and staff have different perspectives. I should have been more clear and I am sorry."I wanted to make the point yesterday that there is no color within the locker rooms I have been in or on the playing fields I have coached on. Unfortunately, we don't live or work only within those confines. Outside of those lines—both in the NFL and society—there is a lot of work to be done in the areas of diversity and providing opportunities across the board for minorities."As the head coach, I look forward to listening to the players—both individually and collectively—to support them and work hand-in-hand to create meaningful change."