Broncos coach Vic Fangio apologizes for comments about racism in the NFL

Former Bears defensive coordinator and current Broncos coach Vic Fangio apologized Wednesday after previously telling reporters that racism was not an issue in the NFL.

“After reflecting on my comments yesterday and listening to the players this morning, I realize what I said regarding racism and discrimination in the NFL was wrong,” Fangio said in a statement released by the Broncos.

“While I have never personally experienced those terrible things firsthand 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.”

The day before, Fangio said the NFL is “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.”

His comments come as many in the sports world rally to raise awareness of systemic racism after a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd. Floyd’s death prompted a series of protests across the country.

Fangio’s original comments came a month after the NFL approved expanding the Rooney Rule requiring teams to diversify the pool of potential coaches and front-office executives.

Seahawks running back Chris Carson called Fangio “a joke” in a tweet.

Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson said he hadn’t heard Fangio’s quote, but understands the point he was trying to get across.

“I don’t think that it was negative or anything like that.” Robinson said. “I think he was just saying that in the locker room, people are just evaluated for who they are as people and players.”

Of the five head-coaching jobs that were open after the 2019 season, only one went to a non-white candidate, Ron Rivera, who was hired by the Redskins.

The Steelers’ Mike Tomlin, the Dolphins’ Brian Flores and the Chargers’ Anthony Lynn are the only black coaches in the league. There are only two black general managers: the Browns’ Andrew Berry and the Dolphins’ Chris Grier.

On Tuesday, the Bears canceled team and player meetings to support “Blackout Tuesday,” and quarterback Mitch Trubisky said “we must do better” on racial justice.