Just as the NFL has started to more publicly embrace social justice causes, like stenciling “End Racism” in end zones this season, one of the signature shows on the league-owned TV network also will highlight social justice causes.
MJ Acosta-Ruiz
NFL Network’s “NFL Total Access” still will be heavy on game strategy and highlights when the NFL season kicks off this fall. But the show also promises an increased focus on social justice that will give athletes and coaches a bigger voice on the network.
“The league is making a bold move, and we have to follow suit with our programming and support it,” said NFL Network senior coordinating producer Lya Vallat. “A large percentage of NFL players are Black, and they have finally found their voice. We are going to be a platform for them to express their messaging, their passions, their beliefs.”
The social justice messages could come through in interviews, essays or statements from the analysts.
The look of the show also will be different, starting with host MJ Acosta-Ruiz, the first Afro-Latina to host a show on the network. Last season, Scott Hanson and Lindsay Rhodes served as rotating hosts.
Starting Sept. 14, Acosta-Ruiz will host from NFL Network’s studios in Los Angeles. She started hosting the show Aug. 31 from her house. All other analysts, reporters and contributors will be remote, due to social distancing restrictions.
The network also promises a bigger focus on what executives are calling “infotainment” elements.
“That’s a fancy way of saying that we’re going to be using more next-gen stats,” Vallat said. “It’s more focused on trends of how running backs and wide receivers are doing game-by-game. This will help us out on the fantasy front.
