Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has written to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell challenging the league's Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operations positions.

In her letter, Moody characterized the rule as "blatant race and sex discrimination" and argued that hiring decisions should be based solely on merit. The Rooney Rule was implemented in 2003 and named after former Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, who chaired the NFL's diversity committee.

The rule was established to address the underrepresentation of minorities in NFL coaching and front office positions. It initially required teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching vacancies and was later expanded to include other senior positions and to require interviews of female candidates for certain roles.

The NFL has not immediately responded to Moody's letter. The Rooney Rule has been a subject of ongoing debate within professional sports, with supporters arguing it creates opportunities for underrepresented candidates while critics contend it may not effectively address systemic hiring disparities.

The challenge comes as the NFL continues efforts to increase diversity in leadership positions across the league's 32 franchises.