Allstate CEO responds to Brett Favre's criticism of Sugar Bowl message: 'Woke is not a joke'

CEO Tom Wilson advised Americans to overcome their 'divisiveness addiction'.

Allstate CEO responds to Brett Favre's criticism of Sugar Bowl message: 'Woke is not a joke'
Allstate CEO responds to Brett Favre's criticism of Sugar Bowl message: 'Woke is not a joke'

Like many others, NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre was unimpressed with Allstate CEO Tom Wilson's message before the Sugar Bowl this week.

Wilson's message before Thursday's College Football Playoff game sparked criticism on social media, with some viewers disagreeing with his call for Americans to overcome their "addiction to divisiveness" and instead "accept people's imperfections and differences."

Tom Wilson, chairman and chief executive officer of Allstate Corp
Tom Wilson, chairman and CEO of Allstate Corp., listens during the CEO Initiative event in New York Sept. 25, 2017.  (Misha Friedman/Bloomberg)

The terrorist attack on Bourbon Street on New Year's Day resulted in the deaths of 14 people and injuries to many others, prompting a response from him.

On Wednesday, the New Orleans community experienced a tragedy. We express our condolences to the victims and their families. It is crucial that we unite and overcome our addiction to divisiveness and negativity.

"Amplify positivity, increase trust, and accept imperfections and differences by joining Allstate in local communities across America. Together, we win."

On Friday, Favre criticized ESPN for not airing the national anthem before the Georgia-Notre Dame game while also making a statement.

Brett favre
Former NFL player Brett Favre speaks onstage at the SiriusXM at Super Bowl LIV Jan. 31, 2020, in Miami, Fla.  (Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

"According to my source, there was no televised National Anthem at the Sugar Bowl yesterday. Instead, Allstate CEO delivered a DEI message."

Allstate clarified that Wilson condemns "violence in all forms" after many threatened to boycott the company due to the message.

Allstate CEO Tom Wilson unequivocally condemns the heinous act of terrorism and violence in all forms. We stand with the families of the victims, their loved ones, and the community of New Orleans. Our commitment to fostering trust and positivity in communities across the nation is reflected in this statement.

Caesars Superdome before game
The field before a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome. (Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)

On Bourbon Street, a U.S. Army veteran, armed with a pickup flying an ISIS flag, barreled through a crowd and was later declared dead after engaging in a gunfight with police.

The FBI classified the incident as an act of terrorism and discovered possible improvised explosive devices in the French Quarter and Jabbar's vehicle.

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by Paulina Dedaj

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