The Fritz Pollard Alliance, which advocates diversity in the NFL, is “deeply concerned” by allegations that New York Jets owner Woody Johnson made racist and sexist comments on his role as the United States’ ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Fritz Pollard President Harry Carson and Chief Executive Rod Graves, a former Jets executive, released a statement Thursday morning, asking the league to oversee the matter and take action, if necessary.
“The Fritz Pollard Alliance is deeply concerned by the accusations of callous comments about race and gender made by [Johnson] … “said the statement.” Accusations of this nature, if true, are detrimental to the social fabric of our country and cannot be tolerated.
“Although they are only allegations at this time, they are serious. We call on the NFL to carefully monitor this situation and, if the allegations have merit, take appropriate action and work to eliminate such feelings from the NFL community.”
The NFL acknowledged that it is aware of the matter, but referred media inquiries to the State Department.
Johnson, who relinquished daily control of the franchise in 2017 to accept the diplomatic post, is being investigated by the State Department Inspector General amid allegations that he made racist remarks about black men and questioned the purpose of Month of the Black History, reported CNN Wednesday. He allegedly argued that black parents don’t stay with their families, calling it a “real challenge.”
He also commented on the appearances of women at the embassy and public events, according to the CNN report, and said he preferred to work with women because they are cheaper and work harder. Johnson reportedly held meetings at a men’s-only club, preventing female diplomats from attending, before another diplomat told him to stop the practice.
Johnson, in a 33-word statement posted on his Twitter account, denied making insensitive comments about race and gender. He also said that “he has followed the rules and ethical requirements of my office at all times,” a reference to a New York Times report that said he once tried to use his position to lure the Open Championship to President Donald Trump’s Turnberry Resort. in Scotland.
On Wednesday, Trump denied the report and told reporters at the White House: “I read a story about it today and never … spoke to Woody Johnson about it, no.”
Johnson’s three-year stint as ambassador will soon end, and there is a chance he may return to the Jets by the end of the year. His younger brother Christopher has been running the franchise since August 2017.
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