In an interview broadcast before the Super Bowl, Joe Biden criticized the NFL’s lack of Black head coaches.
During a pregame interview with NBC Mr. Biden referred to Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner’s comments about how the league hasn’t been open about hiring more minority-run teams.
“Think about this: A league made up so many athletes from color, as well diverse, that there aren’t enough African American qualified coaches to run these NFL teams — that just seems like something they’d want them to live up too,” Mr. Biden stated. It’s not a law requirement, but it’s something I view as a matter of common decency.
The comments by the president come less than one month after Brian Flores, a former head coach, filed an class-action suit against the NFL and three teams, alleging numerous instances of racial disparity. Flores stated to ” CBS Mornings“, that he filed the lawsuit in order to “create some changes.”
He said, “I believe we are at an intersection in the road.” “We have two options: keep it as it is, or change the direction to make real changes in the lives and minds of executives and head coaches.
Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner, said that the league will not tolerate racism or discrimination. He also criticized the suit and the renewed criticism.
Since the end of the regular-season, eight of nine NFL head coaches have been hired. Lovie Smith, the only Black person was one of those who were hired. He was promoted from an associate head coach by the Houston Texans. Only three of the league’s head coaches are people of color.
Last year’s Super Bowl, Mr. Biden also decried the absence of NFL Black head coaches.
“You have to go out and search — there are innumerable, incredibly qualified African American coaches,” Mr. Biden stated to Westwood One.
