The Pittsburgh Steelers have two of the most qualified black coaches in the NFL now with former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores joining the team as a defensive assistant/linebackers coach – an area Pittsburgh has struggled in since the devastating career ending injury of Ryan Shazier.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported this morning that head coach Mike Tomlin saw a chance to give an opportunity to a black head coach who deserved a job and acted accordingly.
Flores made headlines two weeks ago with his class action lawsuit against the NFL and three NFL franchises (Giants, Dolphins, Broncos) alleging racism throughout the NFL and specifically during the hiring process.
Flores also claims Miami Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross offered him $100,000 per contest to lose games in order to secure a better draft pick. Since the news, other coaches have shared that they have had the same experiences – including former Cincinnati Bengals’ head coach Marvin Lewis who said he went through the same racial discrimination during his interview process with the Carolina Panthers prior to John Fox being hired. Flores’ legal team has indicated the lawsuit will continue, despite his new gig.
The Pittsburgh Steelers led the league in implementing the “Rooney Rule” for the purpose of increasing diversity and giving minorities coaching candidates a fair chance. Mike Tomlin, who has advocated on several occasions for better treatment towards minorities within the NFL, saw a chance to give an overqualified black candidate the opportunity that 31 other NFL franchises failed to do since his departure in Miami.
Some have said, given his recent turnaround in Miami, Flores’ hiring as an assistant is a slap in the face. Why would leaving a more than qualified candidate at home on the couch be offensive?
Yes, the NFL lacks diversity, not just in the head coaching ranks, but also at the management level and front offices. We understand changes need to be made, but we’re not going to blame the Steelers organization for making the hire and giving a black man a chance when no other ball club did more than just talk about giving him an opportunity.
The NFL does a lot of talking, but it’s time to take action. It’s time to be more than your words. It’s time to be more than an advertisement in the back of the end zone proclaiming “End Racism.” The Steelers, once again, inspired change and pulled the trigger, regardless of how you feel about the NFL.