When Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier posted his latest letter targeting the NFL's diversity policies, he conveniently left out the league's response to his initial inquiry. To get the full picture, we obtained and reviewed the NFL's official reply—and it's a must-read for anyone following this important debate.

Dated May 1, the four-page response from NFL General Counsel Ted Ullyot directly addresses Uthmeier's concerns, explaining how the league's diversity initiatives comply with both Florida and federal law. But more importantly, it clears up some key misconceptions.

"Simply put, the NFL does not permit the consideration of race, sex, or any other legally protected characteristic in any hiring decisions or employment actions," Ullyot writes in the letter's opening paragraph. That's a strong statement that sets the tone for the entire response.

The letter goes on to explain that diversity in the candidate pool is "a critical part of the NFL’s success," and that the league's policy—shared by all member clubs—is to "hire from a broad, diverse, and growing pool of high caliber talent" while supporting "equal opportunity and fair hiring practices." The NFL defines "diversity" broadly to include "the broad ranges of human difference among us."

Perhaps the most interesting section addresses the Rooney Rule, a policy that has been part of the NFL's hiring framework for years. Ullyot emphasizes that the rule does not "compel any hiring or discharge decision, or direct that anyone be 'discriminated against.'" Instead, it "operates solely in the interview process, such that clubs consider a broad set of candidates before making a hiring decision." Crucially, he adds that it "does not prevent a club from interviewing any candidate."

The letter also clarifies that other NFL diversity policies follow the same principle: they encourage a wider candidate pool without mandating specific hiring outcomes. In a footnote addressing recent changes to the NFL's website regarding the Rooney Rule, the league reinforces that its approach is about expanding opportunities, not dictating results.

For fans who care about the game—and the business behind it—this exchange highlights how the NFL balances diversity initiatives with merit-based hiring. It's a conversation that affects everything from the coaches on the sidelines to the gear we wear on game day.