Dee Haslam, Jim Rooney Discuss Diversity In The NFL And Beyond

Before the Browns and Steelers kicked off Thursday night on the lakefront, ownership from both teams attended a City Club forum on diversity and inclusion in the NFL at ideastream’s Westfield Studio Theater.

Browns owner Dee Haslam joined author Jim Rooney to discuss the Rooney Rule. Rooney’s father Dan, former Pittsburgh Steelers owner and president, was also the league’s diversity committee chairman and the requirement to interview a minority candidate for coaching and executive position bears his name. It requires teams to interview ethnic-minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operational jobs.

“The idea of slowing it down and then bringing diverse candidates into the fold, I think really allows you to get a stronger sense of how they're going to fit into your culture, how they're going to enhance your culture,” Rooney said of the rule.

Variations of the Rooney Rule have been put in place in other industries since the NFL implemented it in 2003. And with good reason, said Haslam.

“It's the right thing to do, and it's a good thing to do. Your organization is going to be better. Your culture is going to be a better. It's a priority within our organization, and we put it in our companies as well,” said Haslam, who also co-owns the Columbus Crew soccer team with her husband, Jimmy. From 2008 until they bought the Browns in 2012, the Haslams also owned a minority stake in the Steelers.

Diversity extends beyond racial considerations, pointed out Haslam, who also said she believes the NFL will soon have more than one female referee.

“I think that's another one of those things that you put a priority on and you know, it's training and development and women wanting to be a part of it and stepping up and doing it,” she said. “I think you'll see it evolve and happen.”

Both Haslam and Rooney expect to see at least one woman on the field in a jersey other than stripes after video of U.S. Women's Soccer star Carli Lloyd’s workout with Philadelphia surfaced.

“There's no question in my mind that if Carli Lloyd can kick field goals in from 50 yards out, she's going to get an opportunity,” Rooney said. “You see too many teams losing with kicks at the end of the game.”

Rooney did not want to speak for the Steelers’ operations staff when it came to a question about the private workout arranged for Colin Kaepernick on Saturday, but Haslam summed up her thoughts.

“I think a team will definitely pick him up if it fits within their team. And he's a good player,” she said. “I mean, you want to win football games and I don't know if you've noticed, but you do everything you can to win a football game and get the best players you can get.”

Haslam also confirmed the Browns will attend Kaepernick’s Nov. 16 workout at the Atlanta Falcons training facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. Coincidentally, former Browns head coach Hue Jackson is leading Kaepernick’s workout.