At first glance, this is a tale about statistics. While data is indeed crucial and reveals significant truths, it’s ultimately about real individuals who are missing out on opportunities to pursue their passions.

This narrative about statistics can be traced back over 25 years. It centers on Super Bowl XXXII in January 1998, featuring the Packers against the Broncos, where a key figure was Sherman Lewis.

Sherman Lewis served as the offensive coordinator for the Packers, one of six Black offensive coordinators in the NFL that year. He had a notable football background, having finished third in the Heisman voting in 1963 while playing for a diverse Michigan State team during a time of segregation. By 1998, he was well-established in NFL coaching, having assisted multiple teams in reaching the Super Bowl and coaching legends such as Joe Montana, Brett Favre, and Jerry Rice.

The week leading up to the game was remarkable, not only due to the upcoming championship match but also because the NFL was facing scrutiny regarding its treatment of Black coaches. This moment marked a rare and intense public reflection on the issue of representation in coaching roles.

During the Packers’ media day, Lewis found himself in front of a significant number of journalists questioning the NFL’s higher-ups, including Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, about why someone as qualified as him was not being considered for a head coaching role. The answer, as indicated by Packers running back Dorsey Levens, was blunt. “I can’t think of any other reason,” Levens stated about Lewis’s race being a factor.

Lewis expressed his frustration, acknowledging that despite his extensive experience, becoming a head coach had eluded him. “I can do no more. As an assistant coach, I can’t,” he stated, remarking on his thorough apprenticeship in coaching.

In my discussions with Sherman, both back then and in subsequent years, he often voiced concern not just for himself, but for the overall pipeline for Black coaches in offensive coordinator positions — which brings us back to that troubling statistic.

Lewis was apprehensive that the number of Black coaches aspiring to advance through the ranks to offensive coordinator roles was insufficient. He remained hopeful but anticipated that team owners would overlook Black coaching candidates, leading to a dwindling pipeline. “What will it be like in five years?” he pondered. “I hope things change but I’m not so sure,” he expressed.

His concerns have proven to be valid. Time has cycled back to a point where, once again, Black coaches face significant barriers when pursuing prominent coaching roles in football.

This season, for the first time since 1988, no Black offensive coordinators are present in the NFL, as highlighted by an analysis from YSL News Sports. This marks a significant decline, the first occurrence in 36 years.

In the Super Bowl season with Lewis, there were six Black offensive coordinators: Lewis, Sylvester Croom (Lions), Jim Skipper (Giants), Jimmy Raye (Chiefs), Kippy Brown (Dolphins), and Ray Sherman (Steelers).

<pNow, decades later, as we begin this NFL season, it’s disheartening to note there are no Black offensive coordinators. Currently, Thomas Brown is the only one who recently attained this role after the Chicago Bears dismissed Shane Waldron.

Unfortunately, Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, was not available for comment on this issue.

This situation underscores a long-standing battle for equality within the NFL that seems to never conclude. We could cite the usual explanations and justifications regarding this issue, but the truth is clear.

To put it plainly, the noticeable absence of Black offensive coordinators at the season’s start stems from systemic issues.

At the core of this predicament is the tendency of head coaches to hire individuals they know and feel comfortable with, often at the expense of Black coaches who are excluded from these established networks.

One might wonder why Black head coaches aren’t promoting Black offensive coordinators. While this is a reasonable question, there are only six Black head coaches in the NFL, so the burden shouldn’t rest solely on them to create balance.

This issue persists because racial dynamics continue to exert a significant influence. Racism remains a pervasive and insidious force that many refuse to address. The NFL, like many institutions, grapples with a challenge that society as a whole finds difficult to resolve.

Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that the NFL has been actively pursuing change. Over the years, the league has taken steps towards diversifying its coaching ranks and implementing practices to foster inclusivity. A notable initiative was established to require all teams to hire a minority or female assistant coach in offensive roles.

“It’s clear that the pathway to becoming a head coach typically involves the coordinator positions,” stated Art Rooney II, owner of the Steelers and chair of the NFL diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, in 2022. “We are witnessing a trend of head coaches emerging predominantly from the offensive side, and it’s apparent that there aren’t enough minority coaches in these coordinator roles.”

This policy represented a significant step toward addressing the diversity issue.

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The Rooney Rule, named after Art Rooney’s father, aims to enhance minority hiring throughout the sport’s various levels.

This season began with an unprecedented number of nine head coaches of color. For those of us who have followed this situation for many years, it marks a significant achievement.

However, despite this advancement, there are still issues that need addressing. It’s possible for progress to exist alongside situations that remain unacceptable. By the 21st century, it is unacceptable for there to be a season in the NFL without any Black offensive coordinators.

As Lewis expressed back in 1998, “I can’t force anyone to hire me. All I can do is focus on winning and reaching Super Bowls. I have a great job. Many former head coaches in this league would happily switch roles with me. This is my fifth Super Bowl, and I’ve won four.”

This statement resonates even today, highlighting the missed chances for some deserving Black assistant coaches.

While on the surface this narrative revolves around statistics and figures, which are crucial and tell important stories, it ultimately symbolizes the people behind those numbers—individuals who have been overlooked when it comes to pursuing their passions.