by Dan Jackobs

Created on: July 27, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

I do not believe the National Football league is doing enough to encourage diversity when clubs are hiring their head coaches. This is mainly because the attitudes that are so engrained in one of America's favorite sports, is so very hard to reverse. We are 40 plus years from de-segregation; however the effects are slow to change. Since the beginning of the NFL, we have seen the growth of what could be considered the "old boys club". One where predominately white owners, created the an inner circle, where only white head coaches were hired. There was a trickle-down effect where the staffs were made up of predominately white assistants, giving no opportunity for advancement of minorities. This was a cyclical effect. Modern day minority hirings started with Art Shell in 1989 coaching the Raiders. But the original minority coach was Fritz Pollard back in 1922, who coached the Akron Pros in the American Professional Football League. We have seen the success of Denny Green in Minnesota and certainly Tony Dungee in Indianapolis as well Lovie Smith in Chicago. These hirings are only in the last 15 years. Prior to this, at least an African American head coach was hardly considered, let alone Asian or any other minority race.

Where are the development programs that would encourage minorities to become more involved in American Football? These programs are not difficult for the NFL to develop and sponsor and can go along way to promote the sport. There are many other programs that the NFL sponsors that help to promote football, such as the punt, pass and kick competition as well as flag football leagues. These programs get all kids and presumably all races involved. As these kids progress, engrossed and encouraged they will be more involved in the sport. As these kids grow up, they will be some of Footballs next generation. And obviously these programs are ethnicity neutral and are open to everyone. We have seen the NFL support various other programs whether it be cancer awareness, support our troops, or raising money and awareness for national disasters. When there are nearly one billion people watching one sporting event, the Super Bowl, not all of them are American Caucasian.
We are in a new age, or certainly we HAVE been over the last 40 years, and some of America's institutions need to lead the way of change, and involve all races. Many other causes have been supported, why not racial and cultural diversity? We are getting closer, but still have a long way to go to enjoy a truly "race-less" society.

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