NFL-Still work to do says Goodell as old problems resurface

PHOENIX : With COVID-19 disruptions behind, old issues resurfaced for the National Football League as diversity and concussions were back in the spotlight during Commissioner Roger Goodell's annual Super Bowl news conference on Wednesday.

The previous two Super Bowls in Tampa and Los Angeles were both impacted to some degree by the pandemic with Goodell holding last year's state of the league media briefing outdoors as a precaution.

The commissioner was back indoors on Wednesday ahead of Sunday's title clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles and he did not field a single COVID-related question. Instead, he was grilled about the league's painfully slow progress when it comes to inclusion and diversity, particularly among head coaches.

The league's commitment to diversity was even challenged by an employee of NFL Media, who pressed the commissioner as to why there is no Black person in senior newsroom management or on the news desk.

The NFL introduced its so-called Rooney Rule in 2003, which requires all teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching positions.

In 2021 the rule was expanded, compelling teams to interview at least two minority candidates for open head coaching positions and at least one minority candidate for offensive and defensive coordinator posts, often a stepping stone to the top job.

Last year at Spring meetings, the NFL introduced the 'Accelerator Program,' a new initiative that brought together 60 diverse head coach and general manager prospects with ownership representation from all 32 clubs.

In a league where so many of its star player are Black, including both Super Bowl starting quarterbacks, there are currently just four Black head coaches - long-time