The departure of Jeff Fisher as head coach of the Tennessee Titans leaves the team management with the daunting task of finding an adequate replacement while avoiding a conflict with affirmative action's gift to pro football known as the "Rooney Rule.''
Finalized in 2003 and named after Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, who headed the NFL committee leading to its creation, this bylaw stipulates that any team with a head coaching vacancy must interview at least one minority candidate in good faith or face commissioner sanctions.
Imagine an America in which employers faced steep fines for failing to interview a sufficient number of minority candidates for a vacant management slot prior to making a hiring decision. Even in this day and age, where Diversity rules, that might seem a far-fetched scenario. Yet for the last half-dozen years, this has been the way the National Football League has operated. And its advocates are seeking ways to expand this regime to a variety of venues - and with a strong assist from government.
