NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defended the Rooney Rule this week, indicating that the league will push back against an attack from Florida attorney general James Uthmeier.
“One thing that doesn’t change is our values, and we believe that diversity has been a benefit to the National Football League,” Goodell said (via ESPN’s Ben Baby). “We are well aware of the laws and where the laws are changing or evolving. We think the Rooney Rule is consistent with those.”
Goodell specifically noted that, contrary to Uthmeier’s assertion, the rule is not a mandate that forces teams to hire minorities. It merely requires that minority candidates be considered for top coaching and executive positions.
“The clubs make those decisions individually,” he added.
The Rooney Rule has resulted in expanded opportunities for minority coaches, though this year’s hiring cycle proved that it is still an imperfect system. Only one of the 10 open head coaching jobs went to a minority, which somewhat flies in the face of Uthmeier’s criticism.
“It’s intended to try to help, and it’s been used by industries far beyond football and far beyond the United States to help identify candidates, and a diverse set of candidates bring in better talent and give us an opportunity to hire the best talent, ultimately,” Goodell said.
The longtime commissioner also addressed the league’s ongoing standoff with the NFL Referees Association. He is hoping to reach a labor deal with the union soon, but is willing to use replacement officials if necessary.
“We will be prepared to play,” Goodell said. “We are taking appropriate steps to be ready, but we’re also keenly focused on negotiation. So we’d like to get a negotiated deal, and we certainly are focused on that.”
I’ll say this as nice as I can while trying to keep my freedom of speech on this site. Eff you Roger.
Package it however you want, your values are to promote hiring based off skin color. Attaching draft pick compensation to those practices is wild.
The Rooney Rule Sux and Goodell Sux
The Rule does not help anybody and the guy who came up with it….is 6 Feet under
The whole situation is a Dumpster Fire and the Buccaneers are stuck with Bowles because of it
SMH
I wonder if the Goodell hire was subject to the Rooney Rule? Axing for a friend….
Given the revenue the league generates, this squabble with the officials really makes Goodell and the owners look petty. The NFLPA came out in opposition to replacement refs. Maybe the NFLPA should tie the 18th game to the league hiring full time officials.
Must feel great knowing you’re being interviewed based off your skin color.
The NFL ended racism guys….it says so in the end zones.
Goodell talking out of both sides of his face again. Go figure! Defending a sham rule while his actions in the Bears case totally prove he’s a liar. He also didn’t say the Rashee Rice investigation for the NFL was done by Rashee’s mother. Stay out of Chicago Roger Reject.
If this article is about Goodell why was thumbnail a picture of a big pile of dogs**t?