By Teaganne Finn -
NBC News
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden addressed the NFL's lack of black coaches in an interview that aired during the Super Bowl, saying having diverse leaders in the league is a requirement of "common decency."
As NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has already pointed out, Biden said in an interview with NBC News host Lester Holt that "they haven't lived up to what they promised and they haven't been open about hiring more minority people to run the teams.
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"The general idea that a league made up of so many athletes of color, as well as being so diverse, doesn't have enough qualified African-American coaches 'to manage these NFL teams,' strikes me as a standard that's not up to par," the president said.
"It's not required by law, but I think it's a common decency requirement."
The lack of diversity in coaching in the NFL has long been criticized, particularly in a league made up of mostly minority players.
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Last year,
about 71% of NFL players were people of color (from minorities such as blacks and Latinos)
and only a quarter were white, according to the University's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport. from Central Florida.
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Only three people of color have
head coaching jobs in this league, where white men hold the majority of the slots.
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Bran Flores sued the NFL this month alleging racial discrimination in the league's hiring practices.
In 2020, the NFL expanded the "Rooney Rule," which aims to get more people of color to become coaches and requires clubs to interview at least two outside minority candidates during selection processes for managerial openings. head coach.
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In the lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, Flores, who is black, said he once showed up for a job interview for a position he knew he wouldn't get simply because the team had to interview minority candidates because of the 'Dooney rule'.
Holt asked Biden if he thinks the NFL, because of its broad influence, should have a higher standard when it comes to diversity issues.
"I think it should be held to a reasonable standard," Biden said.
Biden made similar comments about racial equality in the league during last year's Super Bowl interview with Westwood One Sports.
Brian Flores, when he was coach of the Miami Dolphins, during a game against the New England Patriots in Miami Gardens, Florida, on January 9, 2022.Getty Images
Goodell acknowledged at a news conference last week that the league needs to improve the hiring of black and minority coaches.
"We will not tolerate racism. We will not tolerate discrimination," Goodell said.
"All of the allegations, whether it's about racism or discrimination or the integrity of our game, have been very disturbing. These are very serious matters for us, at every level, and we need to make sure we get to the bottom of it."
