Florida Alum Emmitt Smith Says He's 'Disgusted' By School's Decision To Ax DEI Office

There's a lot of buzz about the University of Florida's decision to tell its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office to take a hike. While a lot of people are happy to see the DEI office dismantled, others have tried to defend one of the biggest wastes of taxpayer dollars on the books.

One of those folks is NFL great and former Gator Emmitt Smith.

He made his feelings about the decision known in a statement released on X.

"I’m utterly disgusted by UF’s decision and the precedent that it sets," Smith said. "Without the DEI department, the job falls to the Office of the Provost, who already has their hands full, to raise money for the university and continue to advance the academic studies in athletic programs."

I don't know, I think the Office of the Provost might find it pretty cool that the school found a way to trim the fat and free up a whole lot of money.

What's funny is one of the steps that led to the fall of the UF DEI office came in January when the Florida Board of Governors passed a regulation that limited funding to DEI programs. According to Fox News Digital, They defined those as "any program, campus activity, or policy that classifies individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation and promotes differential or preferential treatment of individuals on the basis of such classification."

Isn't treating everyone the same and not defining them by characteristics like their race, sex, or sexual orientation the ultimate form of inclusion and equality which would then foster deep diversity of thought?

Not to Emmitt Smith it isn't.

"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. History has already proven that is not the case."

Ironically, Smith said that the best way to go about this is to throw millions of dollars at the problem by keeping the DEI which ironically creates more problems as far as — would you believe? — diversity, equity, and inclusion by promoting inherently exclusive policies.

"We need diverse thinking and backgrounds to enhance our University and the DEI department is necessary to accomplish those goals," Smith said.

Well, at least he's just one guy voicing his opinion, which he of course has the right to do… what's that? He's trying to rally Gators student-athletes?

"To the MANY minority athletes at UF, please be aware and vocal about this decision by the University who is now closing the doors on other minorities without any oversight."

Getting rid of the DEI office doesn't close any doors. 

Well, aside from the literal doors to the DEI office.