Emmitt Smith Bashes Florida's Lack of Funding for DEI, Again

NFL legend Emmitt Smith rages on with his blind support for ‘DEI’ by once again bashing the free state of Florida and his alma mater for gutting "diversity, equity and inclusion" jobs.

While many see the strike on DEI (a modern practice that fails in its three core principals) as a good thing, Emmitt Smith went full-steam ahead with trying to tackle Florida, in the name of ‘DEI.’

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 30:  Former NFL player Emmitt Smith looks on at halftime during an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

In an interview with USA Today, Smith criticized Florida for nixing DEI programs at public universities, including the former Gator's alma mater in Gainesville.

"When I see them destroying DEI for the sake of politics … it’s not even common sense," Smith told the outlet. "This is just sheer out of spite and sheer power." 

He added, "At the end of the day, this country was built on people fighting for what is right for everybody, not just a select few. And with that fight, and with the University of Florida being as visible as it is, it irked me. To the fullest. Because I remember the time when our president at the university would stand up and say, ‘Nah, we’re the University of Florida. 

"We’re going to be here a lot longer than you, (Gov.) Ron DeSantis; a lot longer than you, Jeb Bush; we’re going to be here a lot longer than any other governor that tries to push something of this magnitude down the throats of so many Americans and so many Florida citizens.’ To me, that’s a problem."

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 09: Emmitt Smith speaks at SiriusXM at Super Bowl LVIII on February 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Smith previously bashed Florida with a post on X that adamantly supported DEI. 

For a guy whose legend was based on a game of merit, Smith firmly believes that people deserve opportunities not for their ability but for their identity. 

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

‘DEI’ in its modern definition does not properly benefit talent as it factors in variables such as race and sex — two items that demand no objective measure and, thus, hold no real value in a competition pool.

Emmitt Smith and other supporters of ‘DEI’ promote, with their adamant stance, a system bent on acknowledging identity as value, which is far from a winning game plan for society. But as ‘DEI’ support grows, the nation's social ties are further strained. 

Smith is all too familiar with crumbling dynasties, so maybe he's getting in on the cracking social dynamic in America, fueled by DEI.

"I’m utterly disgusted by UF’s decision and the precedent that it sets," Smith said back in March. "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."

(Did Emmitt Smith provide a reasonable angle with his support of DEI? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com) 

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