It's no secret that the National Football League has put a lot of pressure on clubs to hire black coaches. While only time will tell, some critics agree that by fining of the Detroit Lions for hiring a white guy, the NFL has probably done more to hurt black coaches than it has to help. As evidence, I present this statement in the Washington Times:

... the league probably would pressure Rhodes, who is black, to accept the job given all the heat that was placed on clubs to consider minority candidates.

Ray Rhodes is, of course, a good candidate for the Washington Redskins. He is well qualified, has prior NFL head coaching experience (unlike Spurrier), and he already has experience with the Redskins (as an assistant). But then again, he was offered the job once before and turned it down. Now, thanks to the NFLs heavy handedness, people may be wondering if he is being considered just to avoid a potential fine.

More than anything, it is tremendously insulting to Rhodes, who must be wondering about every head coaching spot that comes his way: Is the club seriously interested, or are they just playing lip service to the NFL? (Not to mention that some news articles about black coaches who interview for a head coaching spot will now have this little tidbit tacked on.)