By Lenny Moon
Pro Football Hall of Famer and Fritz Pollard Alliance Executive Director Harry Carson talks with veteran sports broadcaster Lenny Moon about the 2022 PFHOF Contributor candidacy of recently retired FPA chairman, Mr John Wooten. The Riverview, Texas native was an All-American at the University of Colorado in the late 50s, prior to becoming a 60-year National Football League-“Lifer” . Wooten was an All-Pro guard (primarily for the Cleveland Browns) having blocked for three Pro Football Hall of Fame running backs in the likes of legendary Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell and Leroy Kelley. From there he landed in the Player Personnel department of the Dallas Cowboys where he was an integral part of the infamous “Herchel Walker Trade” that paved the way for America’s Team to become multiple Super Bowl champions during the 90s. Among his many other achievements and acknowledgements in the NFL, Wooten was the first chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance where he served for 25 productive years. The FPA is the entity that established the “Rooney Rule” signifying that an African American or other minority candidate must “at least” be interviewed by NFL clubs when a vacancy as head coach, front office, etc become available.
