Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith blasted his alma mater, the University of Florida, after the school opted to eliminate its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) department and fired 13 faculty members who worked in the sector.
Smith took to X, the website formerly known as Twitter, to share his disapproval. The move comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 267 last May. DeSantis' bill banned state funding for DEI programs in the state's public universities.
"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," Smith wrote in a statement. "History has already proven that is not the case."
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) March 3, 2024
The university's decision comes on the heels of a Jan. 17 hearing from the Florida Board of Education which saw the board approve legislation to restrict spending in Florida colleges and universities.
"Instead of showing courage and leadership, we continue to fail based on systemic issues and with this decision," Smith added. "UF has conformed to the political pressures of today's time."
Smith is one of the school's most decorated athletes, capturing All-American and SEC Player of the Year honors in 1989 after accruing 1,806 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns in 11 games. He called on fellow minority ballplayers — of which the school is teeming with — to take note of the university's decision and act accordingly.
"To the MANY minority athletes at UF, please be aware and vocal about this decision by the University who is now closing doors on other minorities without any oversight," Smith wrote.