Broncos head coach Vic Fangio says there isn't racism in the NFL

• Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said he doesn't see racism as a problem in the NFL.
• Fangio said the NFL is a "meritocracy," saying that if society was like an NFL team, "we'd all be great."
• Fangio's comments came amid nationwide "Black Lives Matter" protests following the death of George Floyd and drew some criticism from Seattle Seahawks players.
• Fangio later released a statement saying he realized his comments were "wrong" after speaking with Broncos players.
• In light of the protests, Colin Kaepernick's protest of social injustice has been re-examined, while the NFL passed a new rule to require teams to interview minority candidates for head-coaching jobs.

Amid nationwide protests and a growing number of athletes and coaches speaking out about systematic racism in the U.S., Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said there is no racism in the NFL.

While speaking to reporters, Fangio said while the U.S. has a "societal issue" that needs to be addressed, he doesn't think the NFL has race-related problems.

"I think our problems in the NFL along those lines are minimal. We're 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," Fangio said (via ESPN's Jeff Legwold). "We all live together, joined as one, for one common goal, and we all intermingle and mix tremendously. If society reflected an NFL team, we'd all be great."

Fangio addressed the killing of George Floyd, saying the police officer Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on Floyd's neck for nine minutes, should be "be punished to the full extent of the law."

"I was shocked, sad, and angry when I saw what the policeman do to a handcuffed George Floyd on his stomach that led to his death," Fangio said.

Fangio's comments come at a time when Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality and social injustice have re-entered the spotlight. Kaepernick has not been signed by an NFL team since opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017.

Additionally, the NFL passed new rules to require teams to interview at least two external minority candidates for head-coaching jobs in an attempt to strengthen the "Rooney Rule."

Two Seattle Seahawks players, Chris Carson and Quandre Diggs, mocked Fangio's comments on Twitter.

Later on Wednesday, Fangio issued a statement, saying after speaking to Broncos players, he realized his comments were "wrong."

"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. While I have never personally experienced those terrible things first-hand during my 33 years in the NFL, I understand that many players, coaches, and staff have different perspectives."

According to Legwold, Broncos CEO Joe Ellis had a virtual meeting with players and coaches to discuss social justice initiatives. Fangio told reporters he would also meet with players on the same topics.

• Read more:
• Knicks players and staff reportedly furious after team declines to issue a statement on George Floyd's death because they are not 'any more qualified than anyone else'
• Athletes around the world are speaking up over the the death of George Floyd. Here are some of the most powerful examples.
• LeBron James slammed 2 women who posed for photos near stores damaged in the George Floyd protests: 'Anything for clout!
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called on the Washington Redskins to change their name after they shared a #BlackOutTuesday post