News - Jan 5, 2006
Fritz Pollard Alliance Launches Website
NFL Minority Affinity Group Launches Website
At Highpoint For Minority Coaches
WASHINGTON, DC-Today the Fritz Pollard Alliance (FPA) launched its website, www.fpal.org. The FPA, named in honor of Frederick Douglas "Fritz" Pollard, the NFL's first African American coach, was organized in 2002 to promote diversity and equality of job opportunities in the coaching, front office and scouting staffs of NFL teams. It is unique in major league sports.
"The FPA website will serve as an informational and educational resource for our members, the greater NFL community, football fans, and the media," said Executive Director and former New York Giants great, Harry Carson. "The website launch comes at a perfect time to both recognize the achievements of minority coaches and to look back on the impact the FPA has made in the last few years."
The FPA was created in the wake of a groundbreaking 2002 report, Black Coaches in the NFL: Superior Performance, Inferior Opportunities, coauthored by the late legendary trial attorney Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. and noted civil rights attorney Cyrus Mehri. Their report illustrated that despite being more successful than their white counterparts, black coaches were not considered for the vast majority of head coaching positions. The report has been a catalyst for change and directly contributed to the creation of the Rooney Rule, which requires NFL teams to interview at least one minority candidate for open head coaching positions.
"The 2005 season has already brought us much to celebrate. The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted our namesake, the late Fritz Pollard, and the NFL's hiring practices continued to take hold," said FPA Chairman and former Cleveland Brown legend John Wooten. "Prospects are bright that 2006 will usher in even more opportunities for minorities as candidates interview for the 8 head coach openings, more than in any year since 2000, when not one of 9 vacancies went to an African American."
Today, African American coaches lead 19 percent of the NFL teams, but make up 38 percent of the division leaders, doubling the ratio of their peers. 50 percent of the NFL's black coaches lead their teams to playoff berths (3 of 6) compared to 38 percent of their peers (9 of 26).
To find out more about the FPA, visit www.fpal.org.
Media interested in talking with Harry Carson, John Wooten or Cyrus Mehri can contact Tyler Prell at 202-518-8047.