Former NFL running back and current Tennessee State coach Eddie George addressed speculation that his interview with the Chicago Bears was merely to satisfy the Rooney Rule.
George told The Tennessean that the Bears reached out to him before the Lions’ playoff game and that he asked for two days to decide whether to interview. He also asked the Bears upfront if the interview was just to fulfill the Rooney Rule requirement.
“The thing about the Rooney Rule is, it doesn’t matter how you get in the room,” George said. “Whether it’s through the front door, backdoor, side door, window, or the roof — if I get in the room, you still gotta deal with me.”
George emphasized that he was a legitimate candidate for the Bears’ head coaching job and that his interview was not just a formality.
The Bears ultimately hired Ben Johnson as their new head coach, but George’s interview sparked interest in his potential as a future NFL coach.
