Podcast appearances and mentions of fritz pollard alliance

rWotD Episode 2916: Terry Tumey Welcome to Random Wiki of the Day, your journey through Wikipedia's vast and varied content, one random article at a time.The random article for Monday, 28 April 2025, is Terry Tumey.Terrance J. Tumey is an American former football player and coach. He became the director of athletics for Fresno State University on August 1, 2018, having been appointed June 21. Prior to Fresno State, he served as director of athletics at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, at UC Davis from 2012 to 2015, and Dominican University in San Rafael from 2009 to 2012.Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he spent many years in football, both as a player and a coach. As a player for UCLA (1984–1987), he was a three-time All-Pacific-10 Conference nose guard, helping win four bowl games, including the 1986 Rose Bowl. After graduating with a degree in political science, he entered the UCLA Andersen School of Business to pursue an MBA. While a graduate student, he served as an assistant coach for UCLA Bruins football, eventually becoming a full-time coach (1992–1998).In 1999, he shifted to work in the NFL, coaching for the Denver Broncos from 1999 to 2000, then serving in the front office for the San Francisco 49ers from 2001 to 2009, first as a player personnel assistant and then eventually as director of football administration.He has served on the board of directors of Black Empowerment, has been a voting member of the UCLA Hall of Fame Selection Committee, and has been a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the Fritz Pollard Alliance.He is married to Dr. Candace Gonzales Tumey and has two daughters.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:58 UTC on Monday, 28 April 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Terry Tumey on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Nicole.

In this episode of Black Is America, we highlight the groundbreaking journey of Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl. From his early days in Zachary, Louisiana, to Grambling State under legendary coach Eddie Robinson, to breaking barriers in the NFL, Williams' career is a testament to resilience, intelligence, and excellence. But Williams' path was anything but easy. Systemic racism, underestimation, and financial disparity sought to hold him back. Yet, he persevered, ultimately delivering one of the greatest performances in Super Bowl history. This episode explores not only Doug Williams' impact but the long-standing biases Black quarterbacks faced in professional football. We also highlight historical figures like Fritz Pollard and pivotal moments in sports history that paved the way for today's generation of Black quarterbacks.

On this week’s In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents highlights from the The Fritz Pollard Alliance’s 19th annual Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Salute to Excellence Awards, featuring a discussion around the emergence of the Black quarterback in the NFL, with comments by James “Shack” Harris, Doug Williams, and Roger Goodell. The post The 2024 Fritz Pollard Award (Ep. 20, 2024) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

January 31, 1988. Quarterback Doug Williams steps onto the field in San Diego, California for the biggest game of his life. He's moments away from leading Washington into Super Bowl XXII against the John Elway-led Denver Broncos.Today, Doug Williams becomes the first Black quarterback to start a Super Bowl. Can he win it, too? His breakthrough has paved the way for Super Bowl LVII, where two Black quarterbacks—Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes—will face off for the first time in championship history in 2023.We ask a roundtable of experts: why have Black quarterbacks been a rarity throughout the history of pro football? And in a conversation with Doug Williams himself, what does it mean to be a pioneer for so many Black quarterbacks to come?Special thanks to our guests Kenneth Shropshire, Professor Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School; Bill Carroll, assistant director at the Family Legacy Foundation; Cyrus Mehri, civil rights attorney and co-founder of the Fritz Pollard Alliance; and Doug Williams, former NFL quarterback and longtime NFL personnel executive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fritz Pollard Alliance Opens INVESTIGATION into Jeff Saturday Hiring By Colts & Jim Irsay?! The Rooney Rule Does NOT Influence Interim Coaching Hires in the NFL. New To The Podcast? Looking for a alternative to WOKE Media?! You Are In The Right Place! Make sure you subscribe! Website: www.blackandwhitenetwork.com Get your MERCH here: https://teespring.com/stores/blackandwhitesports Use Promo Code "USAFIRST" for 25% Off! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/blackandwhitenetwork/support

Pre-show

Introduction to Rod Graves: (0:00-6:42)What is the Fritz Pollard Alliance?How Rod's 30+ years as an NFL Exec helped him transition to FPAHow did Rod get into football?Rod's Advice on Staying Optimistic during the Pandemic (6:45-17:38)Rod's Mindset*The best way to succeed during the pandemic*Feeling flustered? Rod knows just what to say to keep you on track!NFL Free Agency Recap (17:41-26:45)A.J. Green is on the Cardinals! And FINALLY, The Bengals have shown signs of life!! Hear what Rod thinks about the FA movesArizona is going ALL IN! Can they win The Super Bowl with the new additions of J.J. Watt and A.J. Green?Breaking Down The Rooney Rule (23:48-33:10)Looking at the # of Black GMs  when Rod was with The CardinalsThe cause of the dip in Black Coaches and GMsThe future for Black GMs and Coaches Follow The Jefe Sports Instagram Page!!!https://www.instagram.com/jefesports_podcast/Subscribe to our YouTube channel!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9XbL5NwKteAiSeshk6KhIg

We sit down with Larry Lee on his professional career in the NFL, Fritz Pollard Alliance and his music career. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Real Sports Podcast host Max Gershberg delves into Bryant Gumbel’s report on the lack of Black head coaches in the NFL with guest Rod Graves, the Executive Director of The Fritz Pollard Alliance. Graves further breaks down the pros and cons of the NFL’s “Rooney Rule” -- a policy requiring teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operation jobs -- and explains what else needs to be accomplished in order to create a more fair and equitable hiring process. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#LetsTalkingAboutItRIP Vincent Jackon. Died at 38 years-old in Florida extended stay hotel. Former Chargers and Buccaneers great. RIP Lorenzo Washington, former Alabama defensive lineman who won a championship on the 2010 season. He was 34 years-oldEagles trade Carson Wentz to the Colts for a 2021 third round pick an a 2022 second round pick that could be a first round pick if Wentz plays 75 percent of his snaps. Houston Texans cut J.J. WattFalcons cut cornerback Ricardo Allen and defensive end Allen BaileySPECIAL GUESTRutgers alumni, former Philadelphia Eagle, New England Patriot and Denver Bronco. Star linebacker for the LA Wildcats. 8:15 p.m. Quentin Gause. #TouchdownOrTurnoverNFL testing Helmet built specifically for offensive and defensive linemanThe Weeknd got a custom super bowl ringNFL increases salary cap minimum to $180 millionUCF hires Gus Malzahn for 5 years, $11.5 million #TakeOrTangentChris Doyle resigns from Director Sports Performance after Fritz Pollard Alliance calls out the Jaguars and Urban Meyer for hiring him. Deshaun Watson’s QB coach Quincy Avery questions what it takes to get a QB traded.Tim Tebow retires from baseballNCAA extends recruiting dead period to May 31st

How the NFL Moves Forward - Global Sport Matters Digital Issue

Harry Carson joins 98.7 ESPN to discuss the Fritz Pollard Alliance with Anita Marks and how the NFL is dealing with the issues of not hiring minority head coaches.

Florio and Charean Williams react to J.J. Watt being released by the Texans after 10 seasons and PFT writer Myles Simmons joins the show to debate potential landing spots for the defensive end. Plus, a discussion about Fritz Pollard Alliance's statement on the hiring of Chris Doyle by the Jaguars.

Global Sport Matter's "How the NFL Moves Forward" digital issue

In Forward, Thinking | Episode 25, David and Ricky are joined by legal expert and professor N. Jeremi Duru and Senior Writer at ESPN's The Undefeated and co-author of "I Came As A Shadow" Jesse Washington.Jeremi discusses his career, his work with the Fritz Pollard Alliance (FPA). the creation and evolution of the Rooney Rule, and the current state of diversity initiatives in the NFL.Jesse discusses his work at The Undefeated, how he was selected by John Thompson to co-write "I Came As A Shadow", what it was like to work with Coach Thompson, his favorite stories from the book, and his outlook on the current state of collegiate and professional sports.Show Notes:Jeremi Duru1:29 – Introduction to Jeremi Duru4:32 – What initially drew Jeremi to the law and the civil rights movement6:01 – Clerking for a federal judge, working for a big firm to pay off his student loans, and joining a civil rights firm to follow his passion8:15 – The importance of racial justice in sports10:03 – Fritz Pollard, the first black head coach in the NFL, and the creation of the Rooney Rule13:56 – Manipulations of the Rooney Rule, from Bill Parcells to fake candidates to sham interviews, and the reactionary evolutions of the rule16:57 – Whether other professional sports leagues should consider adopting a version of the Rooney Rule20:51 – Expansions to the Rooney Rule to include front office and coordinator positions, as well as requiring female candidates be interviewed for business operations positions24:06 – The Deshaun Watson situation in the era of superstar player empowerment & how it compares to Chris Paul leaving the New Orleans Hornets28:49 – The work of the Fritz Pollard Alliance beyond the Rooney Rule31:06 – How is Eric Bieniemy not an NFL head coach?33:21 – Jeremi’s daily routineJesse Washington36:58 – Introduction to Jesse Washington37:08 – Being selected as John Thompson’s co-writer for his autobiography37:59 – Preparing to write Coach Thompson’s book, getting angry after reading the first book written about him, Mary Fenlon’s scrapbooks, 39:44 – Disproving the myth that Coach Thompson didn’t like white players and was a racist, a myth perpetuated by opposing coaches through negative recruiting44:25 – Incorporating the critical themes into the book while chronologically telling Coach Thompson’s story48:03 – The importance of education to Coach Thompson, global issue lectures during practice, and letting the team see his Nike contract51:07 – Coach Thompson’s style, what Coach Thompson told Roy Hibbert about his career options, Black History Month is every month lectures, advice from Dean Smith, and keeping his players off-balance, especially Dikembe Mutombo56:51 – Coach Thompson’s evolution with regards to the compensation of college athletes59:32 – How Coach Thompson viewed the book as his final statement of purpose and being, Jesse’s feeling of responsibi lity to do it right, and why Coach Thompson wanted Jesse to do the audio book1:02:00 – Why The Undefeated is a critical platform in the sports media landscape today1:04:52 – The current state of the NFL with regards to diversity in coaching and front office ranks and whether there is a reason for hope that significant change is on the horizon in sports overall1:07:52 – Freedom is the right to not be successful, how Coach Thompson applied Gandhi’s beliefs to the opportunities afforded to black coaches1:11:27 – Why the purpose behind change is so important in the process of change1:15:54 – Jesse’s daily routine

Florio and Charean Williams react to J.J. Watt being released by the Texans after 10 seasons and PFT writer Myles Simmons joins the show to debate potential landing spots for the defensive end. Plus, a discussion about Fritz Pollard Alliance's statement on the hiring of Chris Doyle by the Jaguars.

How The NFL Moves Forward - Global Sport Matters Digital Issue

Fritz Pollard Alliance Executive Director Rod Graves joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to assess minority-hiring trends across the NFL, including the effectiveness of the Rooney Rule, and potential solutions moving forward. *Interview recorded 2/1/21

Executive Director Rod Graves of the Fritz Pollard Alliance joins Scott and Q to discuss progress made in minority candidates being interviewed and hired on both the field and front office in the NFL. Graves talks about on-going priorities, how the NFL has stepped to the plate more so in recent years and talks about Al Davis and the Raiders legacy in hiring qualified minority candidates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We address a very significant issue in the NFL was we talk with Rod Graves, executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation - an organization that champions diversity in the NFL through education and providing its membership with resources that will help them succeed at every level of the game. It particularly helps with the push to hire a more representative number of minorities in coaching and front-office positions. Graves talks about those issues and Al Davis and the Raiders being at the forefront of hiring the best person for the job no matter their color or gender. Your Boy Q Myers talks about Raiders Twitter and how some folks have too much time on their hands - and smartphones. Vinny Bonsignore wraps up a busy day with the latest on Gus Bradley's defensive staff hires. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maz was out with “coodies” while C.Black and Brendan caught up with former Lions VP Larry Lee to discuss his experience as both a player and front-office executive. We also talked to the big man about his role with the Fritz Pollard Alliance and his beloved “Back In The Day Band.”

The NFL recently announced proposed changes to the “Rooney Rule”. Adopted in 2003, the Rooney Rule is an NFL policy requiring every team with a head coaching vacancy to interview at least one or more diverse candidates. In 2009, the Rooney Rule was expanded to include general manager jobs and equivalent front office positions. I sat down with Professor Jeremi Duru from American University to talk about the proposed change and have an open and honest conversation about the impact of the Rooney Rule in the NFL and diversity in sports overall. SOME key takeaways and Information: The question shouldn’t be who you want to hire, the questions is who would be best for the job? https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/20/black-quarterbacks-history-stereotypes (Positional Stacking) https://www.fritzpollard.org/ (Fritz-Pollard Alliance) https://theundefeated.com/features/fritz-pollard-alliance-co-founder-john-wooten-forgotten-activist-and-hero/ (John Wooten) https://theundefeated.com/features/nfl-draft-displays-lack-of-diversity-among-top-decision-makers-its-a-painful-look/ (Jason Reid article on the NFL Draft) I hope you learn as much in this episode as I did and I encourage everyone to dive even deeper into the ideas and topics that Professor Duru discusses as we continue to seek out knowledge, understanding, and positive change. As Nelson Mandela said, "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair."

Jim Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers and N. Jeremi Duru, a professor of sports law at American University and Counsel to the Fritz Pollard Alliance, discuss the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which is designed to create more coaching and executive leadership opportunities for minorities. We discuss the rule's evolution and effectiveness addressing larger issues of bias and systemic racism, and explore what more can be done to increase inclusive leadership across the league and beyond. Plus, with the nation focused on addressing racism following the murder of George Floyd, we assess how leagues and teams have responded to calls for more action and engagement in tackling these critical issues.

In the third hour, Mike Mulligan and David Haugh continued to discuss the MLB labor dispute between owners and players and also reacted to Bears coach Matt Nagy's most recent comments on the quarterback competition between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. Later, former Bears scout and Cardinals general manager and current Fritz Pollard Alliance executive director Rod Graves joined the show to discuss the NFL taking steps forward with its Rooney Rule to enhance hiring opportunities for minority candidates.

Coach Mac joined us for his weekly visit talking Titans. He was also joined by Rod Graves, former NFL exec and current Director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, discussing the NFL's changes to the Rooney Rule. Plus: Coach Mac weighs in on Paul's dilemma to buy or not to buy a puppy...

Rod Graves, former NFL exec and current Director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, joined the Midday 180 to discuss diversity in the NFL on the sidelines and in front offices.

Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by former Bears scout and Cardinals general manager and current Fritz Pollard Alliance executive director Rod Graves to discuss the NFL taking steps forward with its Rooney Rule to enhance hiring opportunities for minority candidates.

Our guest Professor N. Jeremi Duru teaches sports law, civil procedure, and employment discrimination, and he is among the nation's foremost sports law authorities He represents the Fritz Pollard Alliance of minority coaches, scouts, and front office personnel in the National Football League and has previously represented sports industry professionals in employment matters involving other leagues, including the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball Professor Duru received his undergraduate education at Brown University and then completed a joint-degree program at Harvard University, receiving a Master's degree in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School He is a frequent media contributor and has provided commentary for numerous media outlets, including CNN, BBC, NBC, MSNBC, Fox, ESPN, NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. During this episode, Professor Duru will help you to unleash your prosperity by embracing diversity!

Hannah Gordon is one of the highest ranking female executives in the NFL as Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of the San Francisco 49ers. On Sunday, February 2, her team will go head-to-head against the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami, Florida with the hopes of taking home their sixth Super Bowl championship. Over almost nine years with the Niners, Hannah has taken on initiatives like diversity in hiring, and fan clubs for both female fans and the LGBT community. Learn more about Hanna. Learn more about The Passionistas Project. FULL TRANSCRIPT:  Passionistas: Hi and welcome to the Passionistas Project Podcast. We're Amy and Nancy Harrington, and today we're talking with Hannah Gordon, one of the highest ranking female executives in the NFL. Hannah is chief administrative officer and general counsel of the San Francisco 49ers. And on Sunday, February 2nd, her team will go head to head against the Kansas city chiefs in Miami, Florida with the hopes of taking home their six championship in the Super Bowl. So please welcome to the show, Hannah Gordon. Hannah: Thank you ladies for having me on. Passionistas: What's the one thing you're most passionate about? Hannah: People. I mean, I guess that's kind of a big answer, but if I had to pick one thing to be passionate about, it would be people. And that's why I do what I do because I love working with people and I like observing people. Passionistas: So how does that translate into what you do? Hannah: Well, the great thing about what I do is I get to work with every person at the 49ers pretty much every sort of group. And that ranges from our players to our janitorial staff, to our engineers in the stadium, to our sales groups to the groups that I lead, which would be community relations, the foundation, youth football, the museum, risk management, legal, public affairs and strategic communications. And so I think both the experience of leading a team as well as the experience of getting to work with a lot of different people who come from different sort of subcultures. I think oftentimes if you come from a certain type of work. So for example, I worked for a law firm early in my career and in a law firm you kind of have mostly one type of person, lawyers. And it's much more interesting to be on the world where there's lots of different types of people. Passionistas: Were you a football fan growing up? Hannah: No, I was not. I was a fan of Barbie dolls and fashion and I thought I would grow up to be a costume designer or something of that nature. And then I discovered that I didn't have a lot of patience for sewing, which sewing requires a lot of patience. And I also wasn't happy with my skills artistically. And so I started focusing more on things like journalism. And when I got to UCLA where I went for undergrad after growing up in Oakland, I really fell in love with sports there. So that was for me, kind of the beginning of me falling in love with football was just being there. I was quite homesick and started watching a ton of football and basketball on television and it was really seeing Hannah Storm host the halftime during the NBA playoffs my freshman year, that I thought, Oh, you know what, that looks like a really cool job. People connection again, you know, you get to sit around with people and talk about sports. And that seems really cool. How do I learn more about that? And so that's how I kind of got into journalism at UCLA and covered the football team there. And once I was in football, then, you know, it was over for me. Passionistas: Talk about that journey from it being over for you to getting to the 49ers. Hannah: From UCLA falling in love with football. I had to figure out, all right, how do I stay in this? After I graduated from college? So I started doing internships. I interned my junior year for the Oakland Raiders as a PR intern and that was my first Super Bowl. Um, so this is actually my third Super Bowl that I'm going to. I was very blessed that I was a training camp intern for them, but because I was from Oakland, I would come home on holidays or long weekends and work for them. And then when they made it to the Super Bowl, the Super Bowl was in San Diego and this was back when there was no Pro Bowl was an in between. So there was only a week between when you won the conference championship and you had to play in the Super Bowl. And so they won the AFC championship and they called me and they said, get in the car, drive to San Diego. And I said, Oh my gosh, but I have class tomorrow. It's the Super Bowl get in the car. So I worked that week. and it was a great experience. It didn't end, obviously the way that we wanted to, but but it was an incredible experience and I did a lot of other internships. I interned for Fox sports West. After I graduated from college, I worked at the NFL players association, which is the players union, creating digital content for their website at a time when people were really just starting to figure out what digital content was. I don't even think we called it digital content though. We just called it the websit, but, but it was creating a lot of new content that they had never had before. From what I called at that time player journals, which were sort of what we would now maybe think of as like an equivalent of like social media or a blog or a vlog type of situation, to a DJ contest. I did players of the week awards and after I'm working there, I went to the university of California at Berkeley where I worked in their media relations department. And handled football, track and swimming. And then while I was there, I applied to law schools and after I got into law school, I decided to take six months to go work at a sports agency. For those of you who remember the movie Jerry McGuire, I was sort of, exploring that route of being a sports agent. And then I started law school at Stanford and while I was at Stanford, I went back to the Oakland Raiders as a law clerk. Then I worked after law school as a lawyer at a law firm. And then I ended up at the NFL league office in New York for a couple of years. And from there I was recruited to come to the 49ers and this is now the conclusion of ninth season here. Passionistas: So were there a lot of opportunities for women at the time when you first joined the 49ers? Hannah: I would say yes, when I joined the 49ers cause it's only eight and a half years ago. Those things have, I've seen a lot of change even in the last eight and a half years. I was talking to a young woman who's the girlfriend of one of our players who's currently in law school, and who has some interest in sports agent work. And we were talking about, you know, early in my career, 15 plus years ago, and she was like, "Ooh, they weren't ready for you back then." And I started to laugh because I forget. I think it's very easy to forget when it's our own life, sort of how much things have changed and how historical that is to young people. I'm like, to me, I was like, Oh wait, I forgot. That's actually a long time ago. Um, and things really have changed. But from her perspective, I also really appreciated that she had a lot of appreciation for people who came before her helping make that path, hopefully that much easier. So yeah, there has been a lot of change in the last 20 years that I have worked in the business. And, and probably the most rapid change at least in a visible way in certain parts of the business in the last five years, but that doesn't mean there's not still a long way to go. No different I think than every other industry in the United States where the, the area where there still needs to be progress is primarily at the very top. You're not seeing a lot of women in C-suite positions or most importantly in president, CEO type positions. But that's the case whether you're looking at tech or sports or pretty much anything. Passionistas: One position that is making the news a lot right now is Katie Sowers, who's the assistant coach and the first female assistant coach to go to a Super Bowl. Do you have a lot of interaction with her? Hannah: I do. I'm very proud of her. She's an awesome person. And when I was referencing that there's been rapid progress in the last five years in certain sectors. The business, that's really what I was referring to is the, the um, pipeline positions in the football side is where you've seen the most dramatic change in the last five years. And that's really because of a concerted effort to create that change league wide. And so you are seeing like for our club, when I started, almost nine years ago, there were no women in coaching scouting or athletic training roles. And five years ago we hired our first female athletic trainer and since she's been here, not only has she been just an incredible person for everyone to work with, but it opens more doors where ever since she's been here. We've had a full season female athletic training intern and at least one often to training camp, athletic training interns. So again, creating more, more opportunity. And I think, you know, as the great job that she did that helps open the door. Then they, Katie joined us, I believe three seasons ago. And then two seasons ago we hired our first female scout. So we've seen in some of the roles that are not football roles, but are certainly, um, more adjacent to that part of the business, some growth as well. We have, we hired our first, um, on-staff female team photographer, uh, also about three seasons ago. And similar roles in terms of like team reporter and things of that nature. Passionistas: And the 49ers is the first team in the NFL to commit to interviewing at least one woman inand one person of color for every business opening. And you've been a big part of that initiative. So why is that important to you personally? Hannah: Well, I think it's important as a business that you have the best people. This is still a talent based, not only industry, but I would think pretty much any business business you're running, talent is, is at a premium and you're not going to get the best talent if you don't overcome people's unconscious bias. And so I was actually just talking with our Executive Vice President of Operations and President of 49ers Enterprises, Paraag Marathe who recruited me to come here. And I was saying that I still to this day often explain the business case for diversity to people in the same terms that he explained it to me many years ago, which is that it's really an arbitrage opportunity. So essentially you have a economic system that is not working rationally, which means if you are rational and recognize that there's a diversity gap, then you're able to actually get better talent than other people have because you're finding the talent that has been overlooked. And Paraag is actually being honored next week just before Super Bowl by the Fritz Pollard Alliance as their salute to excellence award winner for the year. So very, very happy for him. Passionistas: So now you've risen through the ranks over the last eight and a half years. So tell us how your position has evolved with the team and your current responsibilities. Hannah: I think the big change for me was learning how to go from being an individual contributor to being a team leader. That was a big, big shift in his daily responsibilities, and so starting out in purely a legal role and really as that individual contributor. I think one of the things that made a big difference to me was I was having trouble agreeing that I should be hiring more people to help before I started adopting other departments. Um, and somebody sat me down and was like, Hannah, you are never going to be able to grow as long as you always think you have to do everything yourself, like you have to learn to delegate. And that really, that really helped me, that really me see things in a new light. And once I learned to do that, it allowed me to keep growing and be able to take on more and more because there is, you know, only so many hours in a day. There's only so much one person can do. If you're focused on doing the work yourself Passionistas: We're Amy and Nancy Harrington and you're listening to the Passionistas Project Podcast and our interview with Hannah Gordon. Don't forget to tune into the Super Bowl on February 2nd at 6:30 PM Eastern 3:30 PM Pacific on Fox when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Now here's more of our interview with Hannah. You also oversee fan groups like women of the Niners and 49ers Pride for the LGBTQ fans. So talk about those initiatives and why, again, why they're important to you. Hannah: I'll start with 49ers pride, which is our newest fan engagement program. That is a program that's as you noted for our LGBTQ plus fans, but also for our allies. So it's not just for one type of person. Cause I think one of the things that really resonates with our fans is that we recognize that they look to see their values reflected in us. And I think as the team of the San Francisco Bay area, we very much do reflect the progressive values of this region. And so for us it was really natural to see, okay, where is there a part of our fan demographic that maybe historically hasn't been focused on or served in, in the overall experience of sports in America in the same way. Not that they weren't necessarily, enjoying being 49ers, but how can we even elevate that experience and create more community. And so we launched 49ers Pride at a town hall that we did with the San Jose State Institute for the study of sport society and social change. And we had an incredible discussion around a lot of issues of gender identity and LGBTQ plus activism in sport there. And then we launched this fan engagement platform and the response was really overwhelming. The, the videos we received from people in tears just saying how much it meant to them that they'd been 49ers fans for their whole lives, that they'd never felt excluded by the 49ers but they also now really felt included in a way that they'd never felt before. And there was just overwhelming, like response on social media and emails and so many other things. We had over a thousand people sign up and that first week and we followed that up within in June, marching in the San Francisco pride parade. We had over 150 employees, family members, fans, all part of our float and had just the best time, so much fun. And then this fall we did another event, bringing people together in person again to build community as 49ers fans and we did a away game watch party in the Castro, which for those who don't know is a historically gay neighborhood in San Francisco, and I'm pretty sure it's the first drag queen half time that I've ever heard of, at least sponsored by an NFL team, is awesome. So it's a really fun, cool, way for people to just celebrate and enjoy being 49ers fans and have a community. And then you asked also about our women's official club. So WON: Women of the Niners is our official women's club. And that's something we've had for a long time. But we did rebrand a couple of years ago, to try to reach an even broader swath of fans. You know, we want to be reaching all of our fans, which very much includes the women who make up almost 50% of our fan base, and given what a kind of a big number that is, it's also a very diverse fan base. So we have women fans who are 14 years old. We have women fans who are 94 years old. We have women fans of every ethnicity, every socioeconomic background, and every level of fan ability. So we have extremely avid fans who want to see us breaking down all the X's and O's for them. And then we have casual fans who are interested in some of the storylines, some of the personal stories behind our players and their families and where they've come from, but who may or may not feel like they've gotten enough of an education in the game to fully enjoy and appreciate the game. And so we try to meet everyone where they're at and ensure that they both feel a part of the 49ers and that they're getting what they need to, to really, enjoy the game and be passionate about our team. So those are those two of our fan engagement clubs. Passionistas: So what does your week leading up to the Super Bowl look like? What do you do next week? Hannah: There is a lot happening. The team will leave on Sunday. All other staff and friends and family will leave on Thursday. There's a lot of preparation work that goes into a Super Bowl for participating teams. A lot of it is handled by the NFL. They make it as easy as they can on participating teams, but there's still certainly, our legal team has been cranking away on everything from hotel agreements, us travel agreements. When you have a travel party of about 2000 people that you need to get across the country and then move around in a city that's going to be packed with millions of people, it's a pretty intense experience. So there's a lot logistically that goes into all of that. It'll be, it'll be a busy week, but a really fun week. So the game is on Sunday. People will largely kind of be, you know, there's a lot of different events that happen in the couple of days, the lead up to the Super Bowl, but we're also very focused on, you know, we're coming there with a job to do and that's to win that game. Passionistas:  How do all the departments work together leading up to the Super Bowl? Hannah: Everybody works together kind of regardless, because none of this happens without a lot of collaboration. So you've got folks from stadium operations who have already flown down to Miami to start setting things up. You've got folks from the football travel logistics side. We're also already there, our community relations team does a lot of support around the family members of our players. So there'll be hunting down early, making sure that we have daycare and resource centers and making sure everybody has all the information they need to have a really wonderful trip and celebrate their family member who's going to be competing on the field. So every it takes, I mean to say it takes a village would be sounded cliche, but it definitely takes a full, a 400 person organization to do it. Passionistas: So what's the most rewarding part of what you do? Hannah: I'll tell you two things that happened in the last week that I think sort of epitomized regardless of when we are in season. What's the most rewarding after the NFC championship? Seeing the faces of our players and coaches and staff who were so elated, that was truly rewarding. That's what you're working towards is that feeling of accomplishment and communal experience because it's also the, the feeling that our fans had in the stands. I think if you have not been to a football game in person, it's such a powerful communal experience that doesn't happen in a lot of other ways in American culture anymore. There aren't a lot of places where people come together in person and drop whatever is happening else wa elsewise in their lives or around them and have this incredible really community experience where you're having this shared emotion with 68,000 other people. Um, it's very unique. And so that is one of the most rewarding parts. And then the other most rewarding part is the work that I've been able to do over the last few years with everything that we do in the community. And about a week and a half ago, one of the events that we did was for Martin Luther King day. We went and did reading with kindergartners and first graders at an elementary school and the little girl who I was assigned to be her reading partner. Oh my God. Like that sweet little face. Like I just like that is the most rewarding part when you, when you, you know, because the reality is like, at first I was like, she's not gonna want to read with me. Like I'm not a player, but it then you're reminded anytime you're with children that they're excited just cause you're an adult just because you have taken an interest in them and that you are there to help them. And so for me, the community work that we do, the joy that we're able to bring to other people, that is the other most rewarding part. Passionistas: What do you think is the biggest risk that you've taken professionally and how did it pay off? Hannah: I would say the biggest risk I probably took professionally was when I took the job, sort of the weight in order to take the job with the NFL because I was, I made half as much money at the NFL as I had been making it a law firm. Um, so that's always more risky. Um, and in the process I had actually been laid off in the like wake of like bloodbath of 2009 when law firms, including the one I was at, laid off 20% plus of associates. Um, and so I, I made the decision after that that I did not want to go back to working in another soulless life sucking job. Um, and even though I knew that the job I'd had, I was very blessed to have and allowed me to pay my bills. It paid very well. It was very prestigious, but it didn't feel true to me. And so I wanted to do something that I felt passionate about and I knew that I was passionate about sports and that was what I really wanted to be working in. Now deciding that I was going to pursue that in the midst of the worst economic recession since the great depression was, you know, maybe not the best idea. Um, but I, you know, I waited until I got the job that I really wanted and that took six months between the time I stopped working, the time I started again. And that was terrifying. But that is certainly the risk that paid off because here I am now. So do you think there's a particular personality trait that you possessed that's helped you succeed in your career drive? I am a relentlessly driven person. Um, and I think that, I mean, you guys talk to Lindsay who I've worked with and so one of the amazing things that Lindsay does is really help you, um, define your strengths. And so I was able with her to be able, like I already knew that, you know, being relentlessly driven was one of my strengths is also one of my weaknesses, but being able to very clearly say, yep, you know, drive, finish, you know, command competition, like here, here are my strengths. So yeah, I think certainly in sports a lot of us are very competitive people as part of why we're attracted to sports. Um, but I, I would say that, yeah, focus, drive, competition, command. Um, those would be, and, and relating to people. I would say that that's sort of my, my strengths that have, have worked out well for the career that I'm in. Passionistas: You mentioned career coach Lindsay Gordon who nominated you. She told us that you're really supportive of women who are working in male dominated industries. What are some of the ways you've given women your support? Hannah: Probably mostly through mentoring others, but also through all of the policy changes that we've talked before from our diversity interviewing policy to the fellowship that we created here. That is a rotational fellowship that gets a young woman who's just graduated from college into verticals where women are historically underrepresented, um, like sales, like finance, like business strategy and analytics because that really helps kind of change the future of what the pipeline looks like in those fields where, um, the ascent to the top is much more rapid and, and is actually viable cause there's a lot of protocols where that's not viable. Um, so I'd say both policy-wise and then, um, I really, I love mentoring younger people and so, um, whether it's somebody who's asking to have coffee, um, or somebody who has either worked for me or whatever it is, um, I love, I love hearing just what's going on in their lives and seeing the excitement they have about whatever is kinda up next for them. Passionistas: Do you have a mantra that you live by? Hannah:  I do not. I'm not really a mantra girl. I mean, I think they're lovely for like meditation and whatnot. But no, I don't have like three words that I live by. Although someone asked, I'm going to steal someone else's, someone asked our team reporter that question. And she was like, ''Oh, stay ready so you don't have to get ready. And I was like, ooh, I like that. Like that's a good just tip reminder for whatever you're doing. Stay ready so you don't have to get ready. Passionistas: So what advice would you give to a young woman who wants to get into professional sports? Hannah: Work really hard and work smart. So understand, and I say this to all young people who are looking to get into sports. The impression that you leave as a young person, um, is very important because this is a small industry at the end of the day and very relationship base. And so you want to be that first one in last one out. You want to demonstrate that work ethic, um, and your commitment to what your, your, your craft and what you're doing. And I also tell you when people, because sports is just an industry and it's not uh, a particular career, right? You could want to be a coach in sports. You could want to be a lawyer in sports. You could want to be a broadcast or in sports. And so you also need to have a commitment to whatever the craft is, the it is the you want to do in sports and to commit to being totally excellent at it because to make it in this business, you have to be the best at what you do. Passionistas: Thanks for listening to the Passionistas Project Podcast and our interview with Hannah Gordon. Tune into the Super Bowl on February 2nd at 6:30 PM Eastern, 3:30 PM Pacific on Fox when Hannah's team, the San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Please visit ThePassionistasProject.com to learn more about our podcast and our new subscription box filled with products made by women owned businesses and female artisans to inspire you to follow your passions, sign up for our mailing list to get 10% off your first purchase. And be sure to subscribe to the Passionistas Project Podcast so you don't miss any of our upcoming inspiring guests.

TheNFLGirl brings on American University Law Professor Dr. N. Jeremi Duru of the Fritz Pollard Alliance to talk about the Rooney Rule and the lack of diversity hiring in the NFL. 

Mike talks to Rod Graves, Executive Director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance to discuss opportunity or the current lack there of for minority candidates in NFL organizations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(5:30) Peter King chats with the great Joe Buck from Fox Sports to preview the Packers-49ers NFC Championship Game, and the punishment handed down by MLB regarding the Astros cheating scandal.(33:05) Hall of Famer Harry Carson, who is also the chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, chats with Peter about what needs to be done to get African American coaches more opportunities in the NFL, both as head coaches and as lower level assistants.

-How impressive was LSU’s victory over Clemson? (00:15) -What letter grade would you give LeBron for his performance against the Cavs last night? (24:02) -Skip and Shannon react to the Fritz Pollard Alliance statement claiming the NFL has an “abysmal record of hiring people of color in high-ranking levels of NFL management.” (36:36) -How do you feel about Lamar Jackson now, after the Ravens’ loss in the playoffs? (47:00) -Reggie Bush joins to discuss whether Joe Burrow had the greatest season by any college football quarterback ever. (57:57) -Who will be the better NFL quarterback: Trevor Lawrence or Joe Burrow? (1:10:11) -Skip and Shannon react to the MLB suspending Astros management and fining the team for stealing signals. (1:22:03) -Cowboys safety Xavier Woods joins to discuss LSU’s win, the Cowboys’ season, and more. (1:31:04) -What is your reaction to the latest video Antonio Brown posted on social media? (1:42:50) -Do you have a problem with Odell Beckham Jr. handing out $200,000 in cash to LSU players after the game? (1:50:10)

-Cowboys safety Xavier Woods joins to discuss LSU’s win, the Cowboys’ season, and more. (00:16) -Skip and Shannon react to the Fritz Pollard Alliance statement claiming the NFL has an “abysmal record of hiring people of color in high-ranking levels of NFL management.” (11:59) -How do you feel about Lamar Jackson now, after the Ravens’ loss in the playoffs? (22:25) -Reggie Bush joins to discuss whether Joe Burrow had the greatest season by any college football quarterback ever. (33:21) -Who will be the better NFL quarterback: Trevor Lawrence or Joe Burrow? (45:35)

Former San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has officially announced his retirement, The Chicago Bears Bill Lazor as their offensive coordinator, the Fritz Pollard Alliance criticizes the NFL's minority hiring record Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Wooten truly is a legend. Coming into the NFL in 1959, he blocked for Jim Brown, played for Paul Brown, and was a key part of the 1964 Cleveland Browns NFL championship team. Hear him share stories of his friendships with Ernie Davis and Muhammad Ali, including great info on the famous "Cleveland Summit" with Ali, Jim Brown, Bill Russell, and many other sports superstars. In college, he helped the Colorado Buffaloes to the Orange Bowl. John worked as a scout for the Dallas Cowboys for 16 years, then worked for the Eagles and Ravens. He now chairs the Fritz Pollard Alliance. He worked with Commissioner Pete Rozelle and other NFL legends to establish an important program to develop African-Americans for coaching and front office positions. John's amazing story -- which includes working with Pete Rozelle to avoid filing a discrimination lawsuit against the NFL in the 1960s and Clemson mailing a threatening letter to Colorado before the 1957 Orange Bowl because he and a teammate were African-American -- is told in this episode. 

On this week’s program, In Black America producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents highlights from the 2019 Fritz Pollard Awards, featuring NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Warwick Dunn, and Fritz Pollard Alliance founder John Wooten.

On this week’s program, In Black America producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents highlights from the 2019 Fritz Pollard Awards, featuring NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Warwick Dunn, and Fritz Pollard Alliance founder John Wooten.

On this week’s program, In Black America producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents highlights from the 2019 Fritz Pollard Awards, featuring NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Warwick Dunn, and Fritz Pollard Alliance founder John Wooten.

As a former player, agent, scout, team executive and league official, few people have done more for the game of football than John Wooten. He joins host Ric Serritella to discuss the landscape of the football industry, his role as the executive director for the Fritz Pollard Alliance and his involvement with helping launch Sports Management World Wide (SMWW).  Wooten played for the Cleveland Browns from 1959-1967, the Washington Redskins from 1967-1968. John has been involved with the NFL for 44 years and served as Director of Pro Sports Advisors (Agent for Professional Athletes - 1973-1975); Player Personnel (Cowboys - 1975-1991); Director of Pro Personnel (Cowboys 1980-1991); Creator/Director of Player Programs (NFL - 1991 - 1992 (developing programs for Continuing Education, Financial Assistance, Family Assistance, Internship for NFL Players; Player Personnel (Eagles 1992-1993); Vice President Player Personnel (Eagles 1994-1997); Assistant Director of Pro/College Scouting (Ravens 1998-2001), Consultant-Player Personnel (Ravens - 2001 until he retired in 2004). His on-the-field honors include, Associated Press All-Big Seven, All American Honors at Offensive Guard at the University of Colorado in 1958, named to the Chicago Tribune's College All Star Game in 1959, Sporting News NFL All Star Team in 1965, named to the NFL Pro Bowl teams in 1966 and 1967, Cleveland Browns All-Time All Star Team, named to University of Colorado's All Century Football Team, he was inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame Inductee in 2002 and Hall of Fame inductee with the University of Colorado in October 2004, September 2005 Honored Jersey with the University of Colorado and has three World Championships -- Browns -1964, Cowboys - 1977 and Ravens in 2000.

On this week’s program, In Black America producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents highlights from the 2019 Fritz Pollard Awards, held during Super Bowl Week, honoring award recipient Michael Bidwell, plus a tribute to retiring Fritz Pollard Alliance founder and chairman John Wooten.

On this week’s program, In Black America producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents highlights from the 2019 Fritz Pollard Awards, held during Super Bowl Week, honoring award recipient Michael Bidwell, plus a tribute to retiring Fritz Pollard Alliance founder and chairman John Wooten.

On this week’s program, In Black America producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents highlights from the 2019 Fritz Pollard Awards, held during Super Bowl Week, honoring award recipient Michael Bidwell, plus a tribute to retiring Fritz Pollard Alliance founder and chairman John Wooten.

Each year, following the end of the NFL season, there is a blizzard of activity as teams with disappointing records fire their head coaches and look for the new leader who will turn things around. This year, seven teams fired their coaches and spent the next weeks searching for a replacement among the pool of qualified candidates. The league office imposes one rule on these searches: teams must interview at least one minority candidate for the head coaching position. Established in 2003 by owners of NFL teams, the Rooney Rule was intended to give African American coaches a shot at top coaching positions, at a time when a majority of the league’s players were black but only two of the 32 teams had a black coach. More than a decade later, the effectiveness of the rule is still subject of debate. Yes, two of seven teams hired new black coaches this year. But the total number of black coaches in the league is only four, down from a high of seven in 2011. And a look at fan sites shows that prejudice still rears its head, as some white fans will dismiss a black coaching candidate as a “Rooney interview.” N. Jeremi Duru was part of the legal team that pressed the NFL to take more proactive steps in opening coaching opportunities for black coaches, and he now serves with the Fritz Pollard Alliance, an organization that promotes greater diversity in the league’s coaching and management. His book Advancing the Ball: Race, Reformation, and the Quest for Equal Coaching Opportunity in the NFL (Oxford University Press, 2011) looks at this campaign leading to the Rooney Rule. Jeremi brings the perspective of an insider and a scholar. In addition to his work as an attorney, Jeremi is a law professor and legal scholar who writes and teaches about a variety of issues in sports law. In his book, he uncovers the obstacles that have historically kept African Americans from coaching and front-office positions in the NFL, and he evaluates the changes that have occurred since the Rooney Rule was implemented. At a time when other leagues in the world are contemplating a similar step to remedy the lack of minority coaches, Jeremi’s book offers valuable lessons on the formation of the Rooney Rule, the obstacles it has faced, and the successes it has achieved in the last decade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each year, following the end of the NFL season, there is a blizzard of activity as teams with disappointing records fire their head coaches and look for the new leader who will turn things around. This year, seven teams fired their coaches and spent the next weeks searching for a replacement among the pool of qualified candidates. The league office imposes one rule on these searches: teams must interview at least one minority candidate for the head coaching position. Established in 2003 by owners of NFL teams, the Rooney Rule was intended to give African American coaches a shot at top coaching positions, at a time when a majority of the league’s players were black but only two of the 32 teams had a black coach. More than a decade later, the effectiveness of the rule is still subject of debate. Yes, two of seven teams hired new black coaches this year. But the total number of black coaches in the league is only four, down from a high of seven in 2011. And a look at fan sites shows that prejudice still rears its head, as some white fans will dismiss a black coaching candidate as a “Rooney interview.” N. Jeremi Duru was part of the legal team that pressed the NFL to take more proactive steps in opening coaching opportunities for black coaches, and he now serves with the Fritz Pollard Alliance, an organization that promotes greater diversity in the league’s coaching and management. His book Advancing the Ball: Race, Reformation, and the Quest for Equal Coaching Opportunity in the NFL (Oxford University Press, 2011) looks at this campaign leading to the Rooney Rule. Jeremi brings the perspective of an insider and a scholar. In addition to his work as an attorney, Jeremi is a law professor and legal scholar who writes and teaches about a variety of issues in sports law. In his book, he uncovers the obstacles that have historically kept African Americans from coaching and front-office positions in the NFL, and he evaluates the changes that have occurred since the Rooney Rule was implemented. At a time when other leagues in the world are contemplating a similar step to remedy the lack of minority coaches, Jeremi’s book offers valuable lessons on the formation of the Rooney Rule, the obstacles it has faced, and the successes it has achieved in the last decade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each year, following the end of the NFL season, there is a blizzard of activity as teams with disappointing records fire their head coaches and look for the new leader who will turn things around. This year, seven teams fired their coaches and spent the next weeks searching for a replacement among the pool of qualified candidates. The league office imposes one rule on these searches: teams must interview at least one minority candidate for the head coaching position. Established in 2003 by owners of NFL teams, the Rooney Rule was intended to give African American coaches a shot at top coaching positions, at a time when a majority of the league's players were black but only two of the 32 teams had a black coach. More than a decade later, the effectiveness of the rule is still subject of debate. Yes, two of seven teams hired new black coaches this year. But the total number of black coaches in the league is only four, down from a high of seven in 2011. And a look at fan sites shows that prejudice still rears its head, as some white fans will dismiss a black coaching candidate as a “Rooney interview.” N. Jeremi Duru was part of the legal team that pressed the NFL to take more proactive steps in opening coaching opportunities for black coaches, and he now serves with the Fritz Pollard Alliance, an organization that promotes greater diversity in the league's coaching and management. His book Advancing the Ball: Race, Reformation, and the Quest for Equal Coaching Opportunity in the NFL (Oxford University Press, 2011) looks at this campaign leading to the Rooney Rule. Jeremi brings the perspective of an insider and a scholar. In addition to his work as an attorney, Jeremi is a law professor and legal scholar who writes and teaches about a variety of issues in sports law. In his book, he uncovers the obstacles that have historically kept African Americans from coaching and front-office positions in the NFL, and he evaluates the changes that have occurred since the Rooney Rule was implemented. At a time when other leagues in the world are contemplating a similar step to remedy the lack of minority coaches, Jeremi's book offers valuable lessons on the formation of the Rooney Rule, the obstacles it has faced, and the successes it has achieved in the last decade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-american-studies

John Wooten, Chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation, joins us for a frank discussion on diversity in the the NFL, a proposed rule change regarding the N-word, and his favorite moment from his legendary playing career.The Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation works with the NFL to support more diverse and inclusive league. While many have worked hard to achieve this - the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation has devoted its entire existence to this mission. This is a classic conversation. This is "Sports Without Borders"... Connect with us: http://twitter.com/Section357 Search "The Section 357 Show" on Stitcher, iTunes, and Apple Podcasts. Visit: http://section357.wordpress.com

In this classic conversation John Wooten, Chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, discusses the organization's start and initiating the "Rooney Rule" in the NFL, how he and other legendary public figures rallied to support Muhammad Ali, and the disconnect between current athletes and their communities relative to past generations. This is a classic conversation. This is "Sports Without Borders"... Connect with us: http://twitter.com/Section357 Search "The Section 357 Show" on Stitcher, iTunes, and Apple Podcasts. Visit: http://section357.wordpress.com