Jerod Mayo Appointed as First Black Head Coach of New England Patriots

Mayo's Appointment Seen as Significant Step for Diversity in NFL and Inspiration for Boston's Black Youth

Jerod Mayo, the former Patriots linebacker, has been appointed as the first Black head coach in the history of the New England Patriots.
Mayo's appointment has been hailed as a significant step for diversity in the NFL, where 71% of players are of color but only five Black head coaches exist.
Mayo has emphasized the importance of acknowledging race, stating, 'I do see color, because I believe if you don’t see color, you can’t see racism.'
His appointment has been met with criticism from some quarters, with detractors suggesting he was hired solely for diversity purposes.
Mayo's appointment is also seen as significant for Boston, a city with a history of racial strife, where his role is expected to inspire Black youth.