Racism still in the NFL?

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King is unquestioned. Whether it’s an avenue lined in gold by level headed, educated human beings or one marred by hate-fueled morons scattered from North to South, his influence is defined. Pronounced. Clear as day. Dr. King stood for human rights, not just rights for African-Americans, despite great opposition. But like most of our outspoken leaders he was cut down in fear of a break from our beloved tradition, a splintered crutch we American’s lean on when change is on the brink. It’s sort of strange to echo this contrary sentiment when recently we named our first black president, a momentous event that even the most skeptical race-afraid American would define as the single greatest step in our spotted history since the North’s victory in the Civil War.

Yet, I find myself reminding others (as well as myself) that caution should be left ready handed, not holstered. When we hold firmly the accomplishments of Dr. King and President Obama and set them at the forefront our dinner table, we lose focus from the lives, the picketers, the preachers, the mourners, the generations, the stepping stones that came before them, stones no less important now then they were before Dr. King’s marches or President Obama’s inauguration.

In sports, we’re allegedly sheathed from this discussion. Race was an issue for Jesse Owen’s. Bigotry was Henry Aaron’s adversary. Jackie Robinson outran racism when he stole home plate. But in a country where ‘free at last’ is more commonly stated then a simple hello, it’s easy to lose track that we are the very same nation who noosed a generation of black men simply because they were born. We’re the same nation that imprisoned Japanese-Americans in the wake of the worst annihilation in human existence.

But now? In sports? Where there are so many minorities playing the game? Racism is about as prevalent as humility, right?

At the end of the 10-11 NFL season, there were 6 minority head coaches in the NFL. Basic math renders that shy of 20% of the leadership is minority, while the players comprise nearly 70%. To continue, 4 of 32 general managers are minority. 1 minority owns a franchise, that Reggie Fowler of the Minnesota Vikings. With numbers as clear as this, it’s evident that not enough minorities are being afforded opportunities to coach, lead and run franchises.

For those who’d dismiss these statistics as being aberrations, try again. The Rooney Rule, enacted in 2002, in short, guaranteed an African-American at least an opportunity at a coaching position before it could be formerly granted to a Caucasian candidate. Amidst the loop-holes and shenanigans that always come with changes that bear no real repercussions, there is a solid foundation for which the Rooney Rules were implemented. In 1989, Art Shell became the first African-American coach in professional football in 69 years. Despite an overwhelming majority of the game in 1989 being minority, having leaders with similar backgrounds wasn’t a focal point, until leaders like Dan Rooney made it so.

For there to be equality in front-office positions and on sidelines, one must first be given equal opportunity to present themselves as capable and credible employees. Most dismiss this as affirmative action, where upon a company’s hand is forced to hire a certain percentage of minorities, despite ability or expertise. On the contrary, Rooney’s rule guarantees nothing. It only permits the chance at employment, not the assurance of it.

Although many have been opposed to the formality of the ‘minority interview’, especially in situations where it’s clear as day that a franchise has found their match, the charade is essential. As painstakingly annoying as it is for us to endure the few days it takes every franchise (minus the Raiders who seem to require weeks to botch their next coaching change) to make a coaching change, we must do so. It’s as necessary as a house’s foundation. But this is not just about coaching. It’s not about how many coordinators have unique ethnic backgrounds or even head coaches and owners. It’s simply about the opportunity of such and how the living, breathing necessity of this opportunity is as real as any dream or ambition.

The root of the problem comes not in our frustration with rules or regulations regarding race, it’s in acknowledging that the pinnacle of major sports franchises are predominantly old white men. I needn’t remind you of our mottled history and the exploitation of persons of color. Having said that, we do have to point a murky finger of suspicion at the Donald Sterling’s of the sports world, who on numerous occasions have been sued for malicious treatment and criminal real estate practices against minorities. Yet, Donald Sterling owns a professional basketball team, a historically bad one at that.

The Rooney Rule is needed just as much now as it was a dozen years ago. If history is our measuring stick for cultural awareness and fairness, we must force her hand. Yes, Ray Sherman’s time was wasted so that Jason Garrett would be the Cowboy’s head coach. How many times was Tony Dungy leapfrogged before finally landing a head-coaching job? His perseverance and professionalism led to some pretty lofty accomplishments, by anyone’s estimation. This year, for the first time in history, saw three minority coaches named as head coach. This success, albeit long awaited, is a direct correlation to increased employment opportunities that stem from Rooney. Celebrate the growing number of opportunities in professional sports, most notably the NFL, just as you would our first black president and Dr. King. Celebrate the progression but never forget the countless talented and deserving people who were overlooked for generations simply for their backgrounds. Their time was not wasted. Ask Mike Tomlin and Lovie Smith.

Call it a token interview. Call it a waste of time. But make sure you call it what it really is. Needed.