Ross off NFL committee

Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross is no longer a part of the NFL’s social justice committee.

Retired NFL player Chris Long, a member of the Players Coalition, says NFL players pressured Ross to no longer be part of the committee, while the Dolphins say Ross removed himself from the group.

“Stephen made the decision last week and informed the NFL and members of the working committee that he was going to step aside from the group and continue to focus his efforts at RISE,” a Dolphins spokesperson said in a statement. “He believes in and is still fully committed to the work that has been done by the group and will always be a passionate supporter and tireless advocate for social justice causes, the fight for equal rights and education.”

Ross, the Dolphins’ owner since 2009, has come under recent criticism — including from Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills — for hosting a fundraising event to support President’s Donald Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign.

Ross’ event, along with another fundraising event on Aug. 9, reportedly raised $12 million.

“We just removed or got Stephen Ross to agree to be off our working group,” Long said in an interview with Sports Illustrated on Tuesday.

Long, who said he respects Ross’ work with RISE, the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality, pointed out the contradictory nature of Ross’ support of Trump and issues the NFL’s social justice group are trying to resolve.

“He held a fundraiser for a guy who called protesting players “sons of bitches” + campaigned for them to lose jobs,” Long posted on his Twitter account. “The working group is directly involved. You can see how that’s a conflict of interest that transcends politics.”

Ross was one of five NFL owners on the league’s social justice committee, which began in 2018.