Talk about walking the walk.
Bruce Arians, an undeniable straight shooter who for years has championed diversity for the NFL coaching ranks more passionately than any other white coach in the league, stepped down as Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach and passed the torch to Todd Bowles, a Black man ready for another shot.
This succession, another stunner in this offseason of major surprises, is so fitting in that it reflects the progressiveness that Arians, 69, has been so unselfish in pushing for. Bowles, the Bucs defensive coordinator the past three seasons, just became the sixth minority coach in a league that has a shameful track record in providing opportunity for people of color.
Arians led the effort, combining with GM Jason Licht, for the Glazer family to promote Bowles.
Yet to view this transaction primarily at the intersection of benevolence and racial progressiveness would be such an injustice.
“This isn’t a diversity hire,” Tony Dungy told USA TODAY Sports. “This is the…