Daryl Campbell rips James Uthmeier’s demand for NFL to end ‘Rooney Rule’

While Attorney General James Uthmeier is demanding the NFL halt a rule aiming to promote minority hires, Rep. Daryl Campbell is blasting the move.

The normally chatty blogosphere and sports television talk universe has been notably muted on Uthmeier’s challenge to the nation’s most popular professional sports league. But Campbell, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, unloaded on Uthmeier’s legal salvo against the NFL’s “Rooney Rule.”

“The unelected attorney general has it all wrong. People can’t afford rent, gas is at $4 a gallon and property insurance companies continue to raise rates. Instead of doing his job to protect consumers, James Uthmeier continues to attack diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of society,” Campbell said.

Uthmeier said the league is violating the Florida Civil Rights Act enacted in 1992.

“The Rooney Rule violates Florida law, and it must stop,” Uthmeier said in a statement on X. “Professional sports are a visible example of a merit-based system, but through the Rooney Rule, the NFL requires its teams to use race-based hiring practices.”

Florida Politics has reached out to the NFL’s media relations office for comment and has not received a response.

The NFL describes its hiring policy as an effort to increase diversity among its leaders. It requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates before proceeding with hiring head coaches and other top positions.

Uthmeier in his letter to the league and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, demanded suspension of the rule and a response from the league by May 1.

Campbell called Uthmeier’s move self-promoting.

“He’s picking a fight with the NFL instead of standing up for what’s right. This only shows his ignorance and desire to be in the headlines without serving the people. Hopefully, Florida voters continue to stand up … and refuse to elect this failed showman in November,” Campbell said.

Uthmeier is seeking his first election to the Attorney General’s post. He was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year after Ashley Moody was elevated to the U.S. Senate.