Who We Are and What We Do

In 2003, a group of scouts, coaches, and front-office personnel came together to form the Fritz Pollard Alliance (FPA), an organization named after the pioneering NFL player and coach Frederick “Fritz” Pollard. Fritz Pollard was the first African-American head coach in the NFL in 1921 and helped break barriers for black athletes in the early 20th century. More than a century later, however, diversity and inclusion in NFL coaching and management positions remains an ongoing issue.

The FPA was founded with the mission to promote diversity and equality of job opportunities in NFL coaching, front office, and scouting staff.

Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, we aim to ensure that NFL front offices and coaching staffs reflect the diversity of the league’s players and fans. We push for the recruitment, advancement, and retention of minority candidates in coaching, scouting, and management positions, and as an extension of our mission, we also champion diversity and inclusion at all levels of football.

Benefits

Our strategic efforts include

• Advocacy: Supporting the hiring and promotion of minority candidates in NFL team staff hierarchy through public education and communication with team and league ownership and management
• Increased Visibility: Informing NFL team owners and managers regarding the availability of minority candidates for team staff positions
• Cultivating Diversity: Encouraging the adoption of rules and practices that foster diversity on NFL teams
• Networking: Connecting with industry members to share information, ideas, and best practices
• Membership: Access to member programs, webinars, exclusive content, volunteer opportunities, information regarding noteworthy accomplishments, and more