It’s high time we acknowledge the intersection of sports and social justice. The National Football League (NFL) has recently done just that by launching efforts to address racial justice. This league, once heavily criticized for its treatment of socially conscious players like Colin Kaepernick, has taken essential steps towards listening to its players and amplifying their voices.

In the wake of national protests against racial injustices, Roger Goodell, the league’s commissioner, acknowledged the NFL’s previous missteps concerning racial justice, specifically stating that ‘Black Lives Matter.’ Additionally, the league has dedicated $250 million over the next 10 years to fight systemic racism.

NFL is also putting efforts into internal adjustments. Teams are driven to hire in a more diverse manner, aiming for inclusivity in top roles and coaching staffs. Game days now feature the ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ song, known as the Black national anthem.

While it’s too early to measure the full impact of these initiatives, this change of course by the NFL is a promising step towards leveraging the platform of sports for active change. Acknowledging and combating social prejudices in sports represent a crucial evolution of society.