NFL: Jason Wright becomes first black president in NFL history in Washington

Icon: enlarge

Jason Wright while with the Arizona Cardinals. He becomes the new President of the Washington Football Team

Washington Football Team unveiled the first black president in NFL history. Former NFL running back Jason Wright is taking over from Bruce Allen, who was fired for sporting reasons after the previous season.

Out of 32 teams in the NFL, none have had a black president or CEO, and African Americans in higher positions such as head coach or manager are generally a minority. According to a diversity study by the University of Central Florida from 2019, the proportion of black players in the NFL was 58.9 percent. Black quarterbacks have long been an exception, but a new generation of black playmakers is now developing.

"It matters to every People of Color when you are the first of something," Wright told the New York Times. "This organization is undergoing major change on several fronts," he said. "It will be a very challenging but exciting time."

Wright's appointment follows a turbulent offseason for the capital team. After protests from fans and sponsors, the Washington Football Team announced in July that it would drop its old name "Washington Redskins". Native Americans had criticized the name Redskins (German: Rothäute) for years. In the interim, the team is now called Washington Football Team until a new name is found.

Just a few days after the name change was announced, a report by the Washington Post caused a stir. In the newspaper, 15 women who previously worked for the team reported years of sexual harassment and verbal humiliation. Three members of the executive suite and scouting department subsequently left the franchise.

"New culture and a new standard for our team"

Team owner Daniel Snyder had then said: "This story has strengthened me in my endeavor to set a new culture and a new standard for our team".

Wright will be responsible for operations, finance, sales and marketing for the Washington Football team. "The fact that I happen to be black and the most suitable person for it is an incentive," said the 38-year-old on the Good Morning America news program. Wright had finished his college career with a degree in psychology.

He ended his professional career in 2011 at the age of 29 to study business administration at the University of Chicago. In the NFL, Wright had played for the Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals, among others.

hba