Still work to do says Goodell as old problems resurface
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[February 09, 2023]
By Steve Keating
PHOENIX (Reuters) - 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.
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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 Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike
Tomlin, along with the Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel, Tampa Bay
Buccaneers' Todd Bowles, and the Houston Texans' DeMeco Ryans.
During last year's pre-game address, Goodell acknowledged that the
NFL had fallen short when it comes to diversity and inclusion. While
he stressed progress on that front on Wednesday, he said it was not
enough.
"I still feel like there is more work ahead of us." he said. "We
always look to see how we can do better. We believe diversity makes
us stronger."
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![](../images/020923PIX/sports37.jpg)
Feb 8, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; NFL
Commissioner Roger Goodell talks to media during a press conference
at Media Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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Another persistent headache for the NFL are
concussions, which jumped 18% during the 2022 regular season after
three years of decline.
The league came under intense criticism for its response to a
concussion suffered by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in
September.
In a game against the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa was slammed to the
turf and appeared unsteady as he tried to get back to his feet.
Despite signs of a possible concussion, the Miami quarterback was
allowed to return to the game after passing the league mandated
protocol.
In the Dolphins next game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Tagovailoa
had to be taken off the field on a stretcher after being sacked.
The two incidents prompted the NFL and players union to adopt
enhanced concussion protocols.
"Anytime we can change the protocols to make it safer for our
players we're going to do that," assured Goodell. "I think that is
part of the reason concussions went up this year because we had a
broader definition and more conservative definition.
"If you have more evaluations, you are going to have more
concussions," he said.
"There is more work to be done in the area of helmets. We think that
is a big area for us to focus.
"I think the other part of it is rules," he said. "Ultimately you
want to take that hit out of the game."
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Phoenix; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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