Super Bowl LIX: Will the NFL Continue DEI Initiatives?
New Orleans, Louisiana, is host to the biggest NFL football game of 2025, Super Bowl LIX.
For the first time in four years, the message âEnd Racismâ will not be displayed in the Super Bowlâs end zones at Caesars Superdome.
Instead, the phrases âChoose Loveâ and âIt Takes All of Usâ will be behind the goalposts.
"We got into diversity efforts because we felt like it was the right thing for the National Football League, and we're going to continue those efforts because we've not only convinced ourselves, we've proven ourselves, that it does make the NFL better," Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL, said.
"Our efforts are fundamental in trying to attract the best possible talent in the National Football league, both on and off the field.
"We see how it benefits the National Football League, and so I think we'll continue those efforts."
Roger also said he doesn't believe the NFL's policies to promote diversity are in conflict with President Donald Trump's administration's efforts to ban diversity, equity and inclusion programmes in the federal government.
The NFL has said it hopes to âleave a lasting impactâ on the New Orleans community after Super Bowl LIX.
Grant funding, low-cost healthy food options and LGBTQ+ events are planned for the week leading up to the event.
LGBTQ+ initiatives
The NFLâs third annual Pride Flag Football Clinic was hosted on 5 February with the New Orleans Pride Center.
Coaches from the National Gay Flag Football League, a nonprofit founded in 2002, and USA Football attended the clinic with messages of allyship and support for the LGBTQ+ community from NFL players and representatives.
The event was open to LGBTQ+ youth aged 11-24, their friends, allies and families and LGBTQ+ parents and families with younger children.
It even included non-football activities, like friendship bracelet making and games.
The NFL added protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation in 2011 and supports organisations that serve the LGBTQ+ community including the Trevor Project and GLADD.
A Night of Pride with GLAAD presented by NFL sponsor Smirnoff is scheduled for 7 February to spotlight the NFL’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.
The event will be headlined by New Orleans-born rapper Big Freedia and feature a live musical performance from Grammy-nominated musical group Tank and the Bangas.
Supporting schools
On 4 February, the NFL held an event to educate local high school students on financial literacy in partnership with Intuit.
Bricolage Academy in New Orleans was also host to the NFL Character Playbook Speaker Series event funded by the NFL Foundation.
This event was focussed on the Character Playbook digital education resource that supports positive character development, mental wellness and healthy relationships for middle and high school students.
February 6 brings an activity-filled day for local students at the Edward Hynes Parkview Charter School with NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Community MVPs who have made a positive impact on their hometown or team city and active and former NFL players.
NFLPA will present a charitable donation on behalf of its player members to the school.
The NFL will also work with the American Heart Association to help children learn about the benefits of physical activity for mental and physical health.
A beginner-friendly football clinic session will take place on 7 February with sessions led by NFL partners for local middle schoolers.
Military and veteran appreciation
On February 3, the NFL hosted a championship wheelchair football game with teams of veterans alongside the Bob Woodruff Foundation and Move United.
The Salute to Service Military Mom Baby Shower on February 5 invited 75 military families with a newborn or expecting a baby to receive care packages from the NFL and USO.
Families from all services were invited including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.
Care packages contained baby blankets, diaper bags, baby socks and more items.
Leaving a lasting legacy in New Orleans’ communities
More than US$3m in grant funding from the NFL Foundation and the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee and its partners will help to support local nonprofits in areas including education, health and wellness and social justice.
In collaboration with the New Orleans Recreation Department Commission and Second Harvest Food Bank, the NFL held a Community Celebration on February 5 to address food insecurity in the city’s Lower Ninth Ward.
The NFL funded a new Second Harvest Mobile Market to travel the Ward on a regular basis and provide low-cost healthy food options.
Players from the NFL Legends Community also visited a neighbourhood school and provided backpacks filled with healthy food options to more than 600 students.
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