The NFL has been looking for a way to battle their lack of diversity in management and football operations for years. And with each passing year, more and more voices echo the same sentiment — that there is an alarming lack of variety in the hiring of the NFL’s elite jobs. The league boasts just two minority general managers — Miami’s Chris Grier and Cleveland’s Andrew Berry, who was hired this week.
Head coaches? There are only four minority head coaches in the league — Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Washington’s Ron Rivera, Los Angeles’ Anthony Lynn and Miami’s Brian Flores.
Despite the NFL’s Rooney Rule, the league’s teams have continued to bypass establishing a more diverse talent pool in leadership positions. Which is what makes the Dolphins so unique — given as they are the league’s only team with an African American duo running their football operations. And it is because of this diversity that the Dolphins are being honored by The Fritz Pollard Alliance with the 2020 Paul J. Taliabue Award.
Rod Graves, the executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance spoke on why Miami was honored with the award this season.
“First of all, we’re looking for extraordinary leadership and bold steps to advance diversity. The Miami Dolphins have certainly qualified in that area,” said Graves.
“No question they are the model franchise for the National Football League. I think it’s clear that the organization embraces diversity based on what we believe are strong, what I call modern-day principles of success.”
The Dolphins will receive the award on Thursday at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.
