The National Football League created and implemented the Rooney Rule in 2003, in response to a spate of head-coach hiring cycles during which the representation of non-white coaches had completely dwindled. While it was named after Pittsburgh Steelers president Dan Rooney, as the primary champion, he was far from alone.
Now, one of those who helped create it doesn’t believe the rule even merits bearing Rooney’s name. Ray Anderson was an executive with the Atlanta Falcons back in 2003 and was on the committee that put the rule together. He had some harsh words for how it has worked in practice since then.