Broncos' Fangio apologizes after saying NFL free of racism

"After reflecting on my comments (Tuesday) and listening to the players this
morning, I realize what I said regarding racism and discrimination in the NFL
was wrong," Fangio, 61, said in a statement Wednesday. "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 here is no color within the locker
room 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."

Fangio opened a video conference call Tuesday by saying he was outraged with
what happened to George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis on
May 25.

Police officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, was arrested and charged with
third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after pressing his knee on
the neck of Floyd, who is black, for more than eight minutes. On Wednesday,
the murder charge against Chauvin was elevated to second-degree.

"I think our problems in the NFL along those lines are minimal," Fangio said
Tuesday. "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 live in a great atmosphere. Like I alluded to earlier, we're lucky. 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."

According to multiple media reports, nearly 70 percent of NFL players last
season were black. The league currently has three black head coaches -- the
Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Tomlin, the Los Angeles Chargers' Anthony Lynn and
the Miami Dolphins' Brian Flores -- plus one Latino head coach, the Washington
Redskins' Ron Rivera.

Last month, the NFL announced changes to the "Rooney Rule" that requires teams
to interview minority candidates for head-coaching and top front-office
positions, adding to the number of applicants who must be considered. The
league tabled a proposal to offer draft-pick incentives for teams that hire
minority head coaches or general managers.

--Field Level Media