TRZ Ad
2025NFLPro Bowl Week

NFL Is Getting Blasted Over ‘Paternity Leave’ Stance After One GM’s Shocking Firing

1

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Roger Goodell looking on.
Roger Goodell (Credit: Matthew Childs-Reuters via Imagn Images)

Social media is ripping the NFL over its stance on paternity leave after a story about former Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah emerged on Sunday.

Earlier this week, the Vikings fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four seasons. Minnesota finished 9-8, largely due to the questionable decision to choose JJ McCarthy over Sam Darnold, who has led the Seattle Seahawks to a surprise Super Bowl 60 appearance.

According to Dianna Russini and Alec Lewis of The Athletic, many around the NFL were stunned when Adofo-Mensah took a two-week paternity leave in the summer of 2023 after his first child was born:

“The next summer offered more evidence that Adofo-Mensah approached the work-life component of the role differently from many of his NFL peers. Following the birth of his first child, the general manager left for paternity leave, missing about two weeks of training camp meetings and practices and working remotely during that stretch. Word of his time away from the team traveled quickly around the league. Among some rival executives and coaches, it was met with disbelief.

In an NFL culture where many players, coaches, and executives proudly acknowledge missing the births of their children, taking time away to care for a newborn and support a partner remains uncommon. (Just this week, new Bills head coach Joe Brady openly shared that he missed the birth of one of his children and found out after a game that the baby had arrived.)”

The report added that Minnesota was “publicly supportive of Adofo-Mensah’s time away,” understanding his commitment to the family.

Fans destroyed the league over their “disbelief” at Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s decision to take two weeks of paternity leave.

“The NFL is so unserious. Being a present dad is something to be admired, not discouraged,” one fan said.

“A storyline that speaks very poorly to the prevailing cultures across the NFL IMO,” a user commented.

“And it’s wonderful – more in NFL should follow – always family first,” said a fan.

“Taking a couple of weeks off for your newborn, but still working remotely? How dare you! (heavy sarcasm),” wrote another.

“FFS this is not a Kwesi problem, it’s an NFL problem. Too bad those guys hate their families 🤷‍♂️,” a fan commented.

“I don’t think this is weird. Lots of places offer paternity leave,” a user said.

The 44-year-old Adofo-Mensah was the Cleveland Browns’ vice president of football operations for two years before joining the Vikings in 2022.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Wasn’t The Problem In Minnesota

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Adofo-Mensah received significant criticism during his four seasons with the Vikings. His draft record left a lot to be desired, yes, but there were several other good moves that helped them re-emerge as playoff contenders.

He’s the one who signed Sam Darnold in 2024 free agency. The trade for Pro Bowl tight end TJ Hockenson also bolstered the offense, as did the free agent signing of running back Aaron Jones.

His tenure in Minnesota was far from perfect. But Minny had three winning seasons and two playoff berths in Adofo-Mensah’s four seasons. Before he arrived in 2022, Minnesota had just one playoff appearance in the previous four years.

Teams