It’s well known through out the league that Dan Rooney, who happens to lead the workplace diversity committee for the NFL, Â pushed for teams to interview at least one minority when hiring for the head coach position. Â At the owners meetings in Fort Lauderdale, they are now considering that rule to be expanded to cover General Manager positions as well.
Let’s be real, this is a no brainer – in ANY front office role the NFL should be interviewing capable and talented people, of course that includes minorities. Â I’m still a little amazed that we need a RULE to make that happen, this is not 1809, it’s 2009. Come on NFL, let’s get it together and interview the right people for the right jobs regardless of race, religion etc. Â You know the drill.
However, since it seems like the Rule is necessary, I am glad that Dan Rooney has pushed to make the League front office more diverse. Â It says a lot, once again, to the Steelers ownership.
Come on NFL, catch up to the 21st Century please.
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Great post, and I totally agree. The Ravens and Giants both have black GMs who have done a pretty good job in their respected positions. It shouldn’t take someone to tell them to do this but… hey if they do follow thru, it’s a huge step for the NFL
It is a shame it has taken this long, and that a rule is even needed. I hope it passes, and I hope to see a day when the rule can be forgotten because all clubs are doing what the rule wanted anyway.
There is also talk of bringing the Rooney rule to the college ranks, where it truly is needed. There are so few coaches of color at Division I (or FBS) schools, and those that are coaching are given primarily no-hope situations to try to turn around. The state of Oregon is looking into passing legislation to enact the rule:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/18/AR2009051802711.html
Agreed, and great blog! It seems like a no-brainer decision…shouldn’t this be just standard practice anymore instead of having a rule? Sort of a shame IMO.
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