Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, sent a letter to National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Rodger Goodell requesting documents and information regarding the Washington Football Team’s (WFT) hostile workplace culture and NFL’s handling of this matter.
“The NFL has one of the most prominent platforms in America, and its decisions can have national implications,” the Chairs wrote. “The NFL’s lack of transparency about the problems it recently uncovered raise questions about the seriousness with which it has addressed bigotry, racism, sexism, and homophobia—setting troubling precedent for other workplaces. The Committee is seeking to fully understand this workplace conduct and the league’s response, which will help inform legislative efforts to address toxic work environments and workplace investigation processes; strengthen protections for women in the workplace; and address the use of non-disclosure agreements to prevent the disclosure of unlawful employment practices, including sexual harassment. We hope and trust that the NFL shares the Committee’s goal of protecting American workers from harassment and discrimination.”
On July 1, 2021, the NFL announced the outcome of the WFT investigation in a press release, which described vague and conclusory findings, including that “the workplace environment… particularly for women, was highly unprofessional,” that “[b]ullying and intimidation frequently took place,” and that “senior executives engaged in inappropriate conduct themselves.” The NFL did not disclose the full results of the investigation.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported the WFT probe raised issues beyond the scope of the underlying investigation. Leaked emails between WFT official Bruce Allen, former NFL coach Jon Gruden, and others obtained during the course of the NFL’s internal investigation exposed workplace cultures within the NFL filled with racism, misogyny, and homophobia. These emails also raised questions about the league’s impartiality in conducting internal investigations.
The Chairs have requested documents and information related to the investigations by November 4, 2021.
The Washington Football Team will be retiring the late Sean Taylor’s jersey at halftime of today’s game. Taylor will be recognized in a press-game ceremony at 12:45 and his jersey will be retired at halftime of today’s game against the Chiefs.
The team was criticized earlier this week for not providing the public notice of the jersey retirement until earlier this week, just a few days before it was scheduled to occur.
Team President Jason Wright offered an apology to fans on Thursday, acknowledging “screwing up the execution” of the event. The statement can be seen here.
Below is more information on today’s tribute, courtesy of the Washington Football Team.
During the Washington Football Team’s October 17th matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, the team will honor nearly 100 alumni at FedExField, while also paying a special tribute to Washington alumnus and football legend, Sean Taylor. Taylor’s family will join the team on-field for a pre-game ceremony in which Taylor’s contributions to the team will be remembered alongside the retirement of his jersey number, 21. This will mark only the third time in the team’s 89-year history that a jersey number will be officially retired.
The team also will formally commemorate the renaming of the road leading to FedExField as Sean Taylor Road with family and friends of Taylor before the game. Sean Taylor’s family will have the opportunity for a private visit at Taylor’s locker on the Club Level, which has been perfectly preserved from his last game, and will enjoy the game from specially reserved suites. Co-owners Dan and Tanya Snyder were especially close with Taylor and view him as an important part of the team’s legacy. They have remained supportive of his family over the years and will be helping to host the family during the game.
Taylor played for Washington during all four seasons of his NFL career. After being selected with the 5th overall and first Washington Football Team pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Taylor established himself as one of the top young safeties in the league and a fan favorite. Following a successful rookie year, Taylor started 15 games and led Washington to its first playoff win in six years. By 2006, Taylor was one of the premier defenders in the NFL. Then, tragically on Nov. 27, 2007, Sean Taylor’s life was cut short after being shot during a robbery attempt on his Florida home. Posthumously, Taylor was honored by the NFL and named a 2nd team All-Pro selection in 2007. The following year, Washington announced he would be inducted as only the 43rd member of the Washington Ring of Fame.
“I came into the NFL the same year as Sean Taylor and immediately his athletic ability, resilience, grit, and relentless work ethic set him apart. I and many others looked to him as a role model,” said Jason Wright, Washington Football Team President. “The fact that he was tragically taken so early hurt our player community, but also our fans, coaches, and staff. We will continue to remember him and hold him up as an example of professionalism and excellence, and we will all strive to mirror his excellence in our own ways.”
Ryan Kerrigan, Washington’s All-Time Sack Leader, Thanks Fans
When Ryan Kerrigan officially became a free agent in March, the writing was on the wall for Washington’s all-time sack leader continuing his career elsewhere.
Though many fans held out hope that the veteran edge rusher, who has been in DC since being drafted 16th overall in the 2011 draft, would eventually be brought back, it no longer looks like that is a possibility after Kerrigan posted a thank you on his Instagram late last night.
Since entering the league in 2011, Ryan Kerrigan has the 5th most sacks in the NFL and the 7th most tackles for losses. His 95.5 total sacks are the most ever in Washington Franchise history.
Longtime local radio host Al Galdi wrote, “A salute to Ryan Kerrigan. In a time in which way too many #WashingtonFootball players were malcontents, oft-injured & just not that good, he never complained, was incredibly durable & was highly productive.”
While his career in Washington has come to an end, Kerrigan has not given any indication that he will not be playing football next year. He had 5.5 sacks as a situational pass rusher for the NFC East winning Washington Football Team last season.
Washington Football Team 2021 Schedule
The Washington Football team will learn the dates and times of its 2021 opponents as part of the NFL’s Schedule Release ’21 show, which will air on NFL Network, NFL.com and the NFL app at 8 p.m.
Earlier today, Ryan Fowler of the Draft Network released the schedule ahead of time.
WFT full 2021 schedule:
Week 1: Los Angeles Chargers
Week 2: New York Giants (Thursday Night Football)
Week 3: @ Buffalo Bills
Week 4: @ Atlanta Falcons
Week 5: New Orleans Saints
Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs
Week 7: @ Green Bay Packers
Week 8: @ Denver Broncos
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 11: @ Carolina Panthers
Week 12: Seattle Seahawks (Monday Night Football)
Week 13: @ Las Vegas Raiders
Week 14: Dallas Cowboys
Week 15: @ Philadelphia Eagles
Week 16: @ Dallas Cowboys (Sunday Night Football)
Week 17: Philadelphia Eagles
Week 18: @ New York Giants
Washington finishes the season with five division games in a row, three of them being away games.
They will also play in three primetime games.
Note: This will be the first season that will consist of 17 regular season games.
