The discussion about the effectiveness and relevance of the Rooney Rule -- and whether Washington and Seattle drove armored trucks through its plate-glass window -- has been entertaining and enlightening the past two weeks.

The rule, which requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate before hiring a head coach or general manager, was adopted in 2003 with the hope of seeing more African-Americans hired as head coaches. Until six years ago, there had only been five in the league's modern history. Former commissioner Paul Tagliabue was hopeful that by expanding the search, owners would come across qualified minority candidates who might have been overlooked otherwise.

Yet Washington hired Bruce Allen within 48 hours of firing GM Vinny Cerrato. It also named Mike Shanahan, who had been linked to the club for months, head coach within two days of Jim Zorn's ouster. The Seahawks were only slightly less disingenuous; they waited three whole days before hiring Pete Carroll to replace the fired Jim Mora.

But give Seattle credit: At least it waited until after Mora was gone to fulfill the Rooney Rule requirement. Washington reportedly "interviewed" assistant coach Jerry Gray before telling Zorn he would be fired at the end of the season.

Commissioner Roger Goodell told the media last weekend that both franchises complied with the Rooney Rule. I wasn't there, so I have no idea if he said it with a straight face. But even if the teams followed the rule in a letter-of-the-law sense, they clearly violated the spirit of the rule. That got me wondering: Is the Rooney Rule still relevant or necessary?

Since the rule's adoption, seven African-American head coaches have been hired: Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati, Lovie Smith in Chicago, Romeo Crennel in Cleveland, Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh, Jim Caldwell in Indianapolis, Raheem Morris in Tampa Bay, and Mike Singletary in San Francisco. They follow in the footsteps of modern-era predecessors Art Shell, Denny Green, Tony Dungy, Ray Rhodes and Herm Edwards.

"I would hope we're at the point where the Rooney Rule is not necessary," said Dungy, the former Colts coach and current NBC analyst. "But even if we are, there still some good things, some benefits that come from it. The biggest thing it has done, to me, is slow down the process and encourage people to look at a broad spectrum and interview a lot of different guys. That helps everyone. It helps the person who ended up getting the job, and it helps the person who was looking."

Dungy acknowledges there always will be franchises that clumsily side-step the rule or brazenly stiff-arm it, adding: "It's hard to legislate practice."

I am conflicted by the Rooney. The intent of it is good, but the execution is flawed. Perhaps the league could require a mandatory blackout on hirings for one week after a coach or general manager is fired. But that isn't going to stop "sham" interviews. And truthfully, if an owner knows he wants to hire an established, big-name coach, why should he have to sit through "interviews" that have no chance of changing his mind.

For the most part, the rule's biggest impact has been with organizations whose owners aren't known for spending extravagantly on head coaches, or with franchises that are in some form of financial crisis. For instance: Lewis went to the Bengals, Smith to the Bears and Tomlin to the Steelers. None of those organizations has a reputation for breaking a bank for its coaches.

Morris got his job with the Bucs, you could argue, because ownership was facing financial hardships. It still owed at least $20 million to coach Jon Gruden and the aforementioned Allen after firing them, and its outside investments, particularly in a European soccer team, reportedly was a financial drain on the Glazer family. Singletary received his break only after working half a season as the interim coach, following the firing of Mike Nolan.

Says Dungy: "Those frugal people, a lot of times, are old-time football people, so maybe the two go hand in hand. Maybe it's not that they're being frugal but thinking about football, as opposed to slash and dash. What's going to give me the best value? If I take the time to explore, maybe I will find someone who is really, really good. Maybe I could make a more informed decision. That was part of [Dan] Rooney's experience when he hired Mike [Tomlin]."

And therein lies the rub. The league can legislate as much as it wants, but franchises will always find a way to get around the rules -- particularly if Goodell isn't going to take as forceful a stance as Tagliabue did. Tagliabue once fined the Lions $200,000 for violating the Rooney Rule before hiring Steve Mariucci and threatened stiffer penalties if there were another offense.

Maybe the Redskins and the Seahawks were in compliance technically, but the Gray interview was a sham -- even if team, league and Fritz Pollard Alliance officials say otherwise. The Fritz Pollard Alliance was founded to promote the advancement of minority coaches and executives, and chairman John Wooten, whom I respect, says everything was on the up-and-up in both cases. Sorry, but there is too much circumstantial evidence to the contrary.

"I realize that the rule is not for everybody," Dungy says. "But it does help people that are truly looking and searching. If you have a closed mind and you decide before the process starts that this is the only guy I want, or I'm going to hire one of these two guys, then the rules that you have in place don't matter. But if you have an open mind and you say, 'Yeah, I really like Mike Shanahan and I think I'm going to hire him, but I'm going to interview some people and I'm going to hire the best person -- I think it's Mike Shanahan -- but I'm going to interview three or four people and figure it out,' then the rule helps you. I think it helped Dan Rooney because I don't think he went in with the thought process of hiring Mike Tomlin. Is the rule outdated? I don't know. But slowing down the process is good."

By: Steven Butler

This is a sad story. I am father of three sons. I can only imagine the emptyness this has left for this young man's family. I travel to New Orleans for work quite often. I have to say Katrina was a minor storm compared to the storm for the people in the crime infested communities. Some of the people have no way out. Katrina forced many of the citizens of New Orleans out, but in the case of James McKenzie his storm came and left him dead in an abandon house. I truly believe Katrina was a blessing for so many people who did not return to New Orleans. I have read the success stories in the Star Telegram of those families relocated to the DFW area. They have given their kids a chance and started better lives. James McKenzie is a victim of Katrina, but his Katrina walks around with his pants sagging and his cap turned backwards. His Katrina doesn't affect all races only those of African American Community between the ages of 15-24. Kirk Franklin sings a song called " The Storm is Over Now", but it's only the beginning of the storm for many of our young black men throughout American with the declining rates of young black men seeking higher education and soaring rates of these young men going to prison. We must wrap our arms around this generation to save the future of the Black Man in America if not the STORM WILL CONTINUE.

By: Daryl K. Washington

Let me start out by saying what Michael Vick did was wrong. But did he deserve to forfeit $130 million dollars, serve time in prison and upon his release be suspended for another four games? ABSOLUTELY NOT. What Martha Stewart, Rick Pitino, Michael Phelps, Marv Albert and others did was equally wrong. What's the difference? They were allowed to return to their prospective profession with plenty of support from their peers, fans and the Media without the forfeiture of millions of dollars. Michael Phelps recently received the ESPY's Male Athlete of the Year despite being caught with drugs on TAPE.

I'm somewhat confused why we only heard from individuals like Terrell Owens and a few of Vick's former Atlanta teammates during Vick's attempted return to the NFL. It often amazes me how so many athletes who have had to struggle to get to the point they are sit so idle as many of our Black Athletes are unfairly convicted and punished by the media, fans, team owners, criminal justice system and now the new NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell.

Is it because they are afraid that if they took a stance against the many injustices that occur each and every day they would sacrifice the millions they make each year? Or, have the owners prohibited them from taking a political stance? Whatever the reason, the time is now for them to be a supporter of something besides self. I'm so happy that Martin Luther King, Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown and others were willing to sacrifice it all for the betterment of our society. Every Black Athlete should follow the lead of Tony Dungy as he stands side by side with Michael Vick upon his return to work.

Each day, I receive letters from individuals who have been victimized by the criminal justice system. So many of these individuals are innocent African Americans males who don't have the platform and resources to get their stories out. They would give the coats of their backs to cheer for one of the successful athletes but would our Black athletes do the same for them? Each and every day the cameras are placed into the face of so many influential and successful African American athletes yet I can count the times they've seized that moment to sacrifice the attention that is placed on them to take a stance against racial injustices. So many of our African American kids idolize these athletes yet I've not seen a public service announcement from our athletes to stop the violence in cities like Chicago and New Orleans.

I'm the first to say that we have many athletes who give back to the communities on a daily basis. However, money, although great, is not the solution to every problem. We need our African American athletes to demand that our athletes are not unfairly punished for simply making a mistake. We need our athletes to take a stance against the racial injustices occurring each day. There is no one in this world who can make me believe Donte' Stallworth was intentionally trying to kill 59-year-old crane operator Mario Reyes the morning of March 14 in Miami. In fact, the criminal justice system did not think so as reflected in his sentence. However, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decided Donte’ Stallworth’s football punishment should last much longer than his 24 days in jail and cost him much more than the financial settlement he reached with the family. Stallworth was suspended without pay Thursday for the entire season. He is barred from team activities until he is reinstated after the Super Bowl. Despite that, Stallworth had the class to make the following statement: “Regardless of the length of my suspension, I will carry the burden of Mr. Reyes’ death for the rest of my life,” Stallworth said. “I urge NFL fans not to judge NFL players or me based on my tragic lapse in judgment. I am a good person who did a bad thing. I will use the period of my suspension to reflect, fulfill my obligations, and use this experience to make a positive impact on the lives of those who look up to NFL players.”

What happened to Donte' Stallworth and Michael Vick could happen to anyone. When Kobe Bryant was falsely accused of raping a lady in Colorado we had to listen to this on talk radio and on the news each and every day until the matter was settled. We heard about it so much until most people started to believe it. Some even stated that he should be banned from basketball. He was booed in every city he played in and treated poorly by the media, female advocacy groups and did not receive much support in the media from his peers. However, just recently a woman filed a similar lawsuit accusing Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of rape. Despite the seriousness of the charges, this is what was said about the incident: The Steelers and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said they were looking into the allegations against Roethlisberger. Goodell went on to say that "I don't know enough of the details, but it's a civil lawsuit. It's something that we obviously will look into."

Not one mention of suspension pending the investigations of the serious allegations. I have not seen one female advocacy group come forward protesting the commissioner's decision to allow Roethlisberger to play despite these serious allegations. This is what we've come to, the rights of ladies, when they are allegedly violated by non African American athletes, are not as important as the rights of dogs. I'm a huge supporter of Roethlisberger and believe he should not be prosecuted in the media for something he may have not done; however, the same support that is given to white athletes should be given to black athletes who are largely responsible for the billions of dollars generated in our economy each year.

The fans and media call athletes and entertainers like Terrell Owens and Snoop Dogg selfish and strange. I say thanks to the two of them for having the courage to support others during their struggles. Never judge someone because you can one day be in a similar position that Vick was in. I will say to our Black athletes who fail to take a stance against the racial injustices to remember the great lyrics written by the late Michael Jackson in his song entitled "Man in the Mirror." Michael stated in the song that "I'm gonna make a change, for once in my life. It's gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference Gonna make it right... "As I, turn up the collar on my favorite winter coat, This wind is blowin' my mind. I see the kids in the street, with not enough to eat. Who am I, to be blind? Pretending not to see their needs. A summer's disregard, a broken bottle top And a one man's soul. They follow each other on the wind ya' know 'Cause they got nowhere to go. That's why I want you to know "I'm starting with the man in the mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways."

Daryl K. Washington is an attorney specializing in complex Commercial Litigation, Business Transactions and Sports and Entertainment Law. Daryl utilizes his experience as a former certified contract advisor with the National Football League to serve as a consultant to athletes in their selection of an agent to represent them in contract negotiations. If you have any questions, you can email Daryl at dwashington@dwashlawfirm.com or call him at 214-880-4883.

By: Daryl K. Washington

Now that your season is over, you’re probably wondering, “how do I select the right agent to represent me and not make the mistake of a lifetime?” This is a question going through the minds of hundreds of college seniors and underclassmen as they prepare for the 2009 NFL Draft. My answer to the question remains the same; go with your gut feelings! Go with someone you can trust. Unfortunately, this is not how it often happens. There are many things unrelated to contract negotiations that play a role in an individual being influenced to sign with a particular agent.

As a former agent, the reasons I’ve heard that an athlete did not sign with an agent are mind boggling. The stories of agents paying off a player’s family, paying for unnecessary gadgets, arranging unnecessary lines of credit, paying for training, purchasing luxury items to interfering with or risking a player’s collegiate eligibility all come to mind. What I do know is that if someone attempts to buy you, he will sell you just as fast. Section 3B(2) of the Regulations governing Contract Advisors (the “Regulations”) states in its pertinent part that an agent is prohibited from providing or offering money or any other thing of value to any player or prospective player to induce or encourage that player to utilize his/her services.

A red light should immediately go off in your head if someone offers you money or other perks to work for you. To put it in proper perspective, that’s the equivalent of me paying my employer to work for them. It does not make any sense. As a future professional athlete, your primary concern is that you sign with an agent who is knowledgeable, has integrity, character, and the ability to gain your trust and who will work in your best interest. Do not sign with an agent because he/she represents ten first rounders, your teammates, offers you the most money or works for a National Firm. Sign with someone you have a connection with. In all likelihood, if you sign with someone who represents many athletes, you will not get the attention you require and deserve. You will be treated like a number.

Always remember, if an agent is willing to break a rule to sign you, he will steal from you. Nothing is free; An agent is in the game to make money! So if an agent fronts you money and says you do not have to pay him back, you’ve now forced that agent to lie and cheat you. It happens all so often, agents getting a fee from someone else without disclosing the fact to you. Some agents may think it’s perfectly okay, but it’s not. If you are introduced to someone by a Contract Advisor, make sure you inquire if the Advisor is being paid a fee. Section 3(B)(20) of the Regulations prohibits an agent from failing to disclose in writing to any player represented by a Contract Advisor any fee paid or received by Contract Advisor to or from a third party in return for providing service to that player.

In closing, an agent will tell you what you want to hear to sign you. You do not need that. You need someone who will be honest and will look out for you. Your goal is to have financial independence during and after your career is over so if you choose to go fishing everyday, you can. Good luck with your selection process.


Daryl K. Washington is an attorney specializing in complex Commercial Litigation and Business Transactions. He also represents coaches in NCAA investigations and compliance matters. In addition, Daryl also utilizes his experience as a former certified contract advisor with the National Football League to serve as a consultant to athletes in their selection of an agent to represent them in contract negotiations. If you have any questions, you can email Daryl at dkwashlaw@aol.com or call him at 214-880-4883.

While listening to our former President George W. Bush, Jr. give one of his last speeches, the subject of Hurricane Katrina was revisited. Former President Bush had the audacity to state live on national television that he felt the Government’s rescue efforts in New Orleans were adequate. He bragged about how 30,000 people were rescued from the roofs of flooded homes but ignored the fact that thousands lost their lives and the others fortunate to survive the devastation were forced to leave their homes and have not been provided with adequate resources to return to rebuild.

He failed to mention how individuals were left on bridges and in the Superdome for days without the bare necessities. He failed to mention how unarmed African Americans were killed as they attempted to cross a bridge to safer grounds. I could not help but wonder how could someone stand in front of the people of this great country and make such an insulting statement.

Each year I pick an exciting destination to visit on my birthday. My destination this year was New Orleans (pronounced “Nawlins”). The moment I stepped off the plane a chill came over my body. The New Orleans I once knew was no longer the same. During my visit to the 7th, 8th, and 9th wards, I immediately discovered that there was absolutely zero movement to rebuild the communities. I could not hold back my sorrow as I drove through the lifeless communities with Darren Boykins, a successful business owner who is recovering from the loss of everything.

It’s been almost four years since the deadly hurricane destroyed parts of the city primarily occupied by African Americans; yet, there is not much evidence that the neighborhoods once filled with life will ever be rebuilt. There are homes covered by weeds and debris, empty lots once occupied by homes, trailers jammed on lots, memorials erected by former homeowners honoring people who died during the storm, signs pleading for help to rebuild their homes and a newly built levee which I do not feel was adequately constructed to withstand a category 3 hurricane.

What ever happened to the millions of dollars that George W. Bush, Sr., Bill Clinton and all the other celebrities and generous people raised for the citizens of New Orleans? Why was the money never accounted for or distibuted? I've interviewed hundreds of people from New Orleans who all state the same thing, they have yet to receive a single dime from the millions of dollars raised to help them rebuild and recover from the disaster.

I cannot imagine why an investigation has not been launched to determine what happened to the millions of dollars raised for the citizens of New Orleans. Instead, the Government was and have been swift to launch investigations into claims of fraud against the citizens of New Orleans for the pennies distributed to them but has yet made an effort to locate and distribute the millions that was raised for them. Was the investigation designed to distract and cause people not to have sympathy for the thousands of people pleading for our help?

As I continue to travel around New Orleans, I could not imagine how someone could be forced to live in the chemical infested trailers that the government allegedly provided for temporary housing until the homes were rebuilt. The kitchen, living room and master bedroom are basically in the same room.

I’m being brutally honest when I say people of New Orleans were treated like second class citizens. The sad fact remains that they are still being treated that way. Families have been broken up, destroyed and forced to leave their city just as slaves were forced to leave under the disguise that they would have a better life. Although this may be true to a certain extent, the fact remains that they were forced to leave and the same efforts have not been made to rebuild the lost communities and schools as it was to rebuild the New Orleans Convention Center, the Superdome and other areas near or surrounding Bourbon Street.

The questions remain: (1) do the powers to be really want the tens of thousands of African American forced to leave to return? (2) will the millions of dollars raised ever be distributed to the citizens of New Orleans? (3) will the destroyed neighborhoods in the 7th, 8th and 9th Wards be rebuilt? (4) will they make it affordable for people to return to New Orleans? (5) will efforts be made to revitalize and beautify the 7th, 8th, and 9th Wards? Actions to date indicate that this will not happen.

The government can allocate billons of dollars to bailout the banking and automotive industries so that they can maintain status quo, executives can receive their bonuses and homeowners can save their homes, yet, the same efforts cannot and will not be made to get people’s lives back on track in New Orleans. There are some African Americans forced to live below the poverty level which undoubtedly has a connection to the high crime rate in New Orleans.

We must demand, as we move into a new era, that an accounting be performed immediately so that all the funds raised for the victims of Hurricane Katrina are accounted for and that each family be allocated an amount sufficient to rebuild their homes and their lives. At a minimum, mortgage payments should be suspended until the homes are rebuilt. We should demand that this is done immediately so that the New Orleans I/(we) once knew is not taken away from those not able to defend themselves.

No one asked for this to happen. Do not let the media's negative portrayal of New Orleans harden your hearts. There is no place in this country where you will meet people so wonderful and hospitable. Spend some time in New Orleans besides the Essence Festival weekend or the Bayou Classic weekend and you will feel the hurt I felt. We have the power to bring about a change. Use it.

Don’t forget about New Orleans and the thousands impacted. The problems still exist. Let's not let their heritage and property be taken away from them. Join me in this journey to solve this problem.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Daryl K. Washington.