Minority Hiring in the NFL

02-06-03

I’m Chuck Wilson with an ESPN Radio Extra Point,
Attorney Cyrus Mehri, who, along with Johnnie Cochran, has led a campaign for more minority hiring in the NFL, this week criticized the Detroit Lions for hiring Steve Mariucci without interviewing any minority candidates. Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney helped develop the NFL's policy for minority hiring. He too, said the interview process fell short. Floyd Keith, executive director of the Black Coaches Association, stated the Lions clearly violated the spirit of the NFL's guidelines and said the whole thing could have been handled better. But could it have been? Last year, the Indianapolis Colts found just the coach they needed in Tony Dungy. This year, the Lions had an exceptional candidate available that fit their needs. It wasn't a matter of color in either case. The NFL should be held accountable for encouraging minority hiring but the efforts must be sincere. The Lions could have "gone through the motions" of additional interviews just for appearances but to do so would have been dishonest and insulting, and would have done nothing to advance the laudable goal of providing more coaching opportunities for minority candidates.
I’m Chuck Wilson