Panthers coach Dave Canales joins NFL voting initiative

With the Nov. 5 elections approaching, the NFL has enlisted Carolina head coach Dave Canales to help use the NFL’s platform to encourage voter turnout. The NFL Vote initiative hopes to get people excited about taking part in the democratic process. 

NFL Vote and NFL Vota, which targets Latinos, focus on voter education, voter registration, and voter activation. The first NFL Vote public awareness spot was aired during the NFL’s 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Bears and Texans. 

“The NFL has an unparalleled ability to bring people together around the game of football,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. “We recognize our privileged position as a national unifier and are committed to using our platform to encourage the entire NFL family to make their voices heard and help direct our country’s future.”

In addition to the NFL Vote video, “NFL Vota” will also debut a public service video featuring Canales, the only Latino head coach in the NFL.

Each vote counts

The video hopes to inspire eligible Latino community members to be part of the electoral process. It encourages Latinos to represent their culture by voting. Canales is the fifth head coach of Latino descent in NFL history.

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He mentions the importance of Latino representation in the NFL Vota public service video. Canales is the only coach and only Latino to participate in the featured spots.

“Representing is not a game,” Dave Canales said. “It’s something each one of us should take seriously. And for us Latinos, ¡cada voz cuenta! (Every voice counts.) By registering to vote and making your voice heard, you represent us all. Our future is in play. Are you game?”

All 32 NFL franchises will hold events to support voter engagement throughout their communities. NFL teams will offer their facilities to support and boost voter turnout among NFL fans.

In addition, the NFL partnered with several non-partisan organizations to help fans register to vote.