News Article

NFL Forms Minority Hiring Committee

DAVE GOLDBERG, AP Football Writer

Published: October 31, 2002

NEW YORK -- Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney will head a new committee designed to ensure that more blacks are interviewed and hired for NFL coaching and front-office positions.

…[C]ommissioner Paul Tagliabue…has been searching for new ways to diversify the league. Two-thirds of players are black, but those in management positions are overwhelmingly white.

…[Rooney] said the group would meet soon, so it can come up with proposals in time for the hiring season that begins in January.

"We want to do what is the right thing," Rooney said. "And the right thing is to get more minorities involved. "

Cyrus Mehri, who is heading the group seeking immediate change, said he was happy with the action and with the makeup of the group.

"I look at this as a genuinely positive development," he said. "It's important that there are new procedures in place prior to the next hiring season. "

Other members of the committee will include owners Arthur Blank of Atlanta, Jeffery Lurie of Philadelphia, Pat Bowlen of Denver and Stan Kroenke, a part-owner of the St. Louis Rams.

The club executives in the group will include two of the league's highest-ranking black executives: Ozzie Newsome, the vice president for football operations of the Baltimore Ravens and Ray Anderson, chief administrative officer of the Falcons. The others include Bill Polian, president of the Colts; Rich McKay, general manager of the Buccaneers; and Terry Bradway, general manager of the New York Jets. Copyright