News - Dec 9, 2003
Statement by Kellen Winslow, Executive Director, Fritz Pollard Alliance On NFL Diversity Policy And Head Coach Interviewing Guidelines
"With the issuance of its Policy Statement on Equal Employment and Workplace Diversity as well as its Head Coach Interviewing Guidelines, The National Football League has taken a bold step toward securing equal opportunity for minorities seeking coaching and front office positions in the League. The Fritz Pollard Alliance, the affinity group of NFL minority coaches, scouts, and front office personnel, applauds the League for taking steps that should help in leveling the playing field for minorities.
We are particularly pleased with the League's further articulation of the Rooney Rule - the rule which requires clubs seeking a head coach to interview one or more minorities for the position, the enforcement provisions that will be triggered if a team fails to abide by the Rooney Rule, and the 10 point written guidelines for implementing the Rooney Rule. These groundbreaking provisions speak to the outstanding leadership and commitment of Commissioner Tagliabue, Dan Rooney, and the League's Workplace Diversity Committee. The League's policy sets the standard among major American sport leagues for commitment to fair competition and will certainly serve as a model for other sports leagues that seek to ensure their own level playing fields.
Now that the League has issued this landmark policy and has established guidelines to assist clubs in adhering to the Rooney Rule, we look forward to the League taking the next step; the expansion of the Rooney Rule to all coaching and front office positions. Expanding the scope of the Rooney Rule would increase the likelihood that minority candidates long excluded from significant decision-making positions will receive fair consideration for open positions.
We continue to support the League in its groundbreaking endeavors to truly 'level the playing field.' We look forward to a breakthrough year in the next hiring cycle."