Cowboys Legend Emmitt Smith 'Utterly Disgusted' by Florida Cutting DEI Department

Legendary running back Emmitt Smith is not happy with his alma mater.

After the University of Florida eliminated its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department and fired the 13 employees that previously made up the department, per Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun, Smith took to social media to say he was "utterly disgusted" by the decision:

"We cannot continue to believe and trust that a team of leaders all made up of the same background will make the right decision when it comes to equality and diversity," Smith wrote. "History has already proven that is not the case."

Smith also called on fellow athletes to speak up about the decision.

"Instead of showing courage and leadership, we continue to fail based on systemic issues and with this decision, UF has conformed to the political pressures of today's time," he wrote. "To MANY minority athletes at UF, please be aware and vocal about this decision by the University who is now closing doors on other minorities without any oversight."

Brockway noted the university's decision came after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 267 into law in May 2023. The bill banned state funding for DEI programs at public universities in Florida.

The Florida Board of Education also made a decision in January to prohibit DEI spending at Florida College System Institutions.

The decision from the University of Florida in particular has led to plenty of backlash seeing how it is one of the state's most prominent colleges with more than 55,000 students.

Smith lends a notable voice to such backlash after he played for the Gators for three seasons from 1987 through 1989. He was an All-American and the SEC Player of the Year in his final collegiate season with 1,806 yards and 15 touchdowns from scrimmage in 11 games.

That was enough to convince the Dallas Cowboys to select him with a first-round pick in the 1990 NFL draft.

Smith won three Super Bowls and a league MVP during his Hall of Fame career in the NFL.