The Rooney Rule became a big topic of conversation over the last week after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier threatened civil litigation against Goodell and the league if the rule wasn’t abolished.
“NFL fans in Florida don’t care what color their coach’s skin is,” Uthmeier wrote via Kalyn Kahler. “They care what colors their coach is wearing — and that those colors are winning on the football field.”
Speaking at the NFL Owners Meetings, Goodell responded by saying the Rooney Rule is consistent
and falls within the law.
“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 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.”
Steelers President Art Rooney II said the rule should be reviewed to ensure that it is compliant.
“We do have an obligation to make sure that our policies comply with the laws, whatever the law is, and whatever the changes in law might be,” Rooney said. “We’ve got to look at that and make sure we’re in compliance.”
The Rooney Rule was put in place by the NFL in 2003 and requires all teams to interview at least two minority candidates for head coach, general manager, and coordinator positions.
