Minority policy defended

Owner Dan Rooney was accused of being hypocritical by the Lions' owner.
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) -- Dan Rooney defended his organization's record on minority hiring a day after Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford accused the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL of being hypocritical in their stance against the Lions.
Following a $200,000 fine last week, Ford touted Detroit's record for hiring minorities while also saying "the Steelers and the league office have a terrible record. They're great ones to be picking us out."
Rooney, who is head of the league's diversity committee, drafted the guidelines that require teams to interview at least one minority head coaching candidate.
Detroit president Matt Millen was fined for violating the policy before he hired new coach Steve Mariucci in January. The Lions said five minority candidates turned down interviews because it appeared inevitable Mariucci would be hired.
Defended policy
Rooney said he understood that as head of the committee he was a likely target for Ford's frustration, but noted that the team had a black player, Ray Kemp, during its inaugural 1933 season and also hired the league's first female trainer, Ariko Iso.
"As far as the Steelers are concerned, I'm very proud of our record from the very first to now ... We've always looked at the situation and tried to be as open as possible," Rooney said.
The Lions have said they have 12 blacks in top positions and seven blacks in coaching, personnel or training staff positions.
"I think we've got an excellent record," said Ford. "We've got a record not because we're trying to satisfy anything [but] because we pick good people. And the Steelers and the league office have a terrible record. They're great ones to be picking us out," he said.
The Steelers, meanwhile have four minorities in their front office and eight minorities in coaching, scouting or training positions, according to the Steelers' media guide.
"I think that our record there speaks for itself," Rooney said.