The Iowa football program has suspended strength coach Chris Doyle after former players reveal racial inequities.
While the NFL is trying to figure out how to deal with a rapidly increasing activism among its player population, that issue is not limited to professional football. In college football, where the players do not have as many rights and often are not allowed to speak on social media, it took the words of several former Iowa Hawkeyes football players to activate change in the program.
After the death of George Floyd, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz put out a statement that specified the need for his players to come to a uniform conclusion as to whether they would kneel for the national anthem before games in protest of police brutality.
“We want them to be uniform, whether it is their uniform, or the way they do things, the way they conduct themselves,” Ferentz said. “To me, there’s a certain game-day protocol, if you will. In conjunction with that, I’ve always kind of felt like the sports arena is not a time to shine a light on an individual cause or an individual thing. No matter what the topic might be, that’s kind of been my approach.
“As we move forward right now, I think it’s important that we’re all together. But, whether it’s appropriate or not in a sports venue, that’s a discussion to be had. And certainly when we come back, we’ll talk about that as a team as well. I guess if I were to frame it out, I guess my goal, or my hopes, as a coach, is whatever we decide to do, and if it’s pertaining to that particular thing, I would just like to see our team to be together. Everybody’s taking a knee, or everybody’s at attention. Either way. The big thing is to be together, to me, on game day and present a uniform appearance as a football team.”
Ferentz could have not have imagined the storm that statement would cause. Soon after, several former Iowa players spoke about the racial inequities they encountered — a process that led to the suspension with pay of Iowa strength and concitioning coach Chris Doyle — the highest-paid coach at his position in the NCAA.
Bears offensive lineman James Daniels:
Vikings defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson:
Safety Jordan Lomax:
Titans safety Amani Hooker:
Lions defensive tackle Mike Daniels:
Illinois State linebacker Aaron Mends, a transfer from Iowa:
“Over the past 24 hours I have seen some difficult and heartbreaking posts on social media,” Ferentz said in a statement. “I appreciate the former players’ candor and have been reaching out to many of them individually to hear more about their experiences in our program. I am planning on talking to all of them in the coming days. This is a process that will take some time, but change begins by listening first.
“Many of the discussions have centered around our strength and conditioning program and coach Chris Doyle. I have spoken with him about the allegations posted on social media. They’re troubling and have created a lasting impact on those players. Therefore, Coach Doyle has been placed on administrative leave immediately while an independent review can take place. He and I agree that all parties will have their voices heard and then a decision about how we move forward will be made.”
If there’s one thing that has become evident in the last week or so, it’s that athletes at all levels are far bolder about speaking out about their own rights, and the responsibilities of those who are supposed to be coaching and mentoring them. This is a crucial dynamic in professional sports, but even more so at the college level — where players are not paid, have very few opportunities to speak out, and, as in the case of Iowa’s players, didn’t even have the right to speak their minds on social media.
And for those who have moved to limit those rights, to intimidate players in their charge, and to otherwise abuse the privilege they’re afforded and the responsibilities they’ve been given, it could be a very tough time. As it should be.
