People of color have been fighting for coaching positions, especially head coaching positions, in the NFL since forever. But Eugene Chung’s situation just took the fight to another degree.
Chung, who is Korean American and a former offensive lineman for the Patriots, told The Boston Globe about an interview he had with an unnamed NFL team.
“It was said to me, ‘Well, you’re really not a minority,'” Chung said to the Globe. “I was like, ‘Wait a minute. The last time I checked, when I looked in the mirror and brushed my teeth, I was a minority.'”
When he pushed the interviewer for an explanation, Chug was told he was “not the right minority that we’re looking for.”
This is mind blowing, especially when taken in context to this past NFL offseason. In January, five of the seven NFL head coaching jobs went to white coaches. The only exceptions were Robert Shaleh of the Jets and David Culley of the Texans.
So if Chung is not the right minority the team is looking for, we wonder what is?
Apparently, so is the Fritz Pollard Alliance. Once they heard about Chung’s experience, they jumped into action.
“If the comments regarding his status as a Korean American are true, it is further evidence that despite good-faith changes to diversity-related policies, the NFL’s actual hiring practices are still riddled with discrimination,” said Rod Graves, executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, in a statement.
Chung, 51, played in the NFL for five years (1992-97). At the time, he was the third Asian player, and second Korean American player, to play in the league. When he retired, he was on coaching staffs with the Eagles and Chiefs.
But now, just like Black coaching applicants, Chung has been frozen out by the same system he once played in.
“We will review the matter,” said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy in a statement. “That comment is completely inappropriate and contrary to league values and workplace policies. The NFL and its clubs are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all personnel in a manner that is consistent with our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”
We’ll see what happens next.
