Gene Therapy: Addressing Racial Discrimination in the NFL | If Not Now, Then When?

by Gene Clemons

The Brian Flores lawsuit brings to light all of the issues that many people have pointed out that exist in the NFL regarding their questionable hiring practices. There is only one black head coach in the NFL and despite multiple head coach openings, the Rooney Rule and public scrutiny waiting, there has not been one black head coach hired so far during this cycle. That's where Flores comes in. He believes, and seems to have proof, that the Miami Dolphins fired him because he refused to lose on purpose and that the New York Giants interviewed him for their head coaching job knowing they had already made a decision to hire a white coach. Since its inception claims have been made that the Rooney Rule is nothing more than a front so that arrogant, white owners can save face when asked about diversity in their hiring practices while continuing to employ the people they really want to hire but for as much conjecture as there has been out there, there's never really been any legitimate proof.

  The fact that the NFL, before doing any investigation to see if any of these allegations were true, would come out and make a statement saying that the allegations were meritless only proves that regardless of whether they believe they've done something wrong or not, there is zero chance that the NFL would take action against their own teams when it comes to diversity hiring impropriety. After all the NFL is not afraid to swing their hammer. They spent months investigating whether or not a football was underinflated during a game. They then levied punishment against an organization that included a heavy fine and a loss of draft picks. This Flores case should not have even been a difficult press release to write. Something like this would have worked while they actually took time to investigate:

"We were informed of the lawsuit by Coach Flores and disappointed that one of our more respected coaches felt as if he was treated improperly. We care about our diversity initiatives and take any allegations that our Rooney Rule has been violated or that the integrity of our game has been compromised seriously. We will investigate the allegations and when we have a better understanding of the facts, address it in further detail."

Instead, they Dismissed Flores and immediately, several media members took to their platforms to discredit Flores' claims. The regular smear campaign was on. People saying that they had first-hand knowledge that his claims were false while producing no evidence and hiding behind anonymous sources. People like Tiki Barber came to the defense of the Giants based on his love of the organization and the fact that they had a black GM. It is the same claim that so many Giants fans made while arguing against Flores.

"He's just mad because the Giants didn't hire him." and "This isn't going to help him get another head coaching job." are common responses you can find about this situation. The truth is these people are somewhat right but like what happens with issues of race and equality, they completely miss the point and only focus on the low hanging fruit. Yes, he's mad but not because the Giants didn't hire him. He's upset because they used him to make a mockery out of a rule meant to give coaches like him legitimate opportunities to ascend to head coaching positions. And yes, this isn't going to help his cause for getting another head coaching job.

But those who question him should ask themselves 'why?'

Why would a man who spent 15 years working his way up from a scouting assistant to get his opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL want to ruin the lifestyle he has crafted as a professional football coach?

Why would a coach who cut his teeth in an organization committed to winning want to purposely lose?

Why would a man of color who understands how difficult it is for coaches like him to elevate to a head coach position, try to sabotage his opportunity to do so in the future?

Why would a coach who has never sought the spotlight at any time in his almost 20-year NFL career, all of a sudden decide he wants to throw himself into a situation that is sure to garner all of the attention he's actively avoided? 

Why would a man who has been applauded as a man of integrity just fabricate these stories out of thin air?

The answers are simple, and they all come back to one undeniable point; there is definitely merit! Eventually one of these minority coaches were going to get tired of being quiet for fear of losing their livelihood and blow the top off of a problem that has been around for as long as black men have been allowed to coach professional football. You can't continue to discredit people and expect that all of them are going to just shut up and be content with their fate in this profession.

While the sports world was digesting this news, the Vikings and Jaguars both hired new head coaches, and neither were minorities. So even during a time where the diversity hiring practices of NFL teams were being publicly debated, NFL teams continued to keep things status quo with their hirings. This says there is no change coming regardless of this case. So, what is there to do to get change?

Unfortunately, the responsibility comes back on the players. They have another opportunity to show that this is about more than just money and that if they are united, they have the power to create change in their profession. The NFL is made up of 70% minorities. That means if that 70% disappears, there is no NFL. The question becomes do they really care. Do they feel as if they should be coached by men that look like them? If so, the answer is simple. Don't play until there are legitimate changes made and not sometime in the future, but right now! Demand that people of color be hired until 50% of the head coaches in the league are represented by people of color. There are more than enough qualified black men to do the job correctly. If they don't really care, then it's time to get rid of the Rooney Rule and refer to the NFL in the proper context, one that doesn't include them as a leader in the efforts to increase diversity or support the causes of equal rights and opportunities.

The time for talk seems to be over, actions are the only thing that's going to get this done. If this climate of empowerment and inclusion is not the time, when is it? If this is not the cause to get behind, what would be? If this isn't more important than money, nothing will be. If the players are as tired as their people are, what would keep them from acting? 

If not now, then when?

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Gene Clemons is a Sports Analyst and Contributor to CWN Sports. His weekly column and podcast - Gene Therapy focuses on Sports, Politics and Social/Urban issues.