This is another video clip from First Take that once again will create controversy. On today’s program, Stephen A. Smith insinuated that there was some racial undertones to Chip Kelly’s decision making in Philadelphia with regards to his roster. While Smith didn’t come out and say or accuse Kelly of being a racist, he merely posited the theory that exists. For what it’s worth, Skip Bayless agreed with Smith as he was raising the question of whether or not Kelly had ulterior motives.
A transcript of Smith’s comments:
“Chip Kelly makes decisions over the last couple of years that dare I say make a few brothers uncomfortable. I think that’s fair to say. We’re sitting here looking at some of the decisions that Chip Kelly makes and I’m like what’s up with that? It looks like you’ve got to be his kind of guy. And I’m like, well Riley Cooper is your kind of guy? Let’s get beyond the system. The operative word is culture. The culture is what resonates with me profoundly because I’m looking at Chip Kelly and I’m like, really?… You’ve got brothers walking the street going like this, ‘what’s up with Chip, I don’t understand this.’ I’m not saying I know, but I’m just going to say that it does strike me as a tad bit odd. I’m going to repeat this. Gone: LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin, you know, DeSean Jackson. Staying: Riley Cooper. Really?”
My goodness. That’s a very large bomb to be throwing out there that an NFL coach is making personnel moves based on race.
One aspect of Smith’s statement is true: the Eagles have jettisoned very talented African American players while Cooper was re-signed to a five year contract after being caught on camera using a racial slur.
But to insinuate that Chip Kelly is racially motivated in those decisions? Keep in mind that the the Eagles reportedly plan on signing Frank Gore and traded for Darren Sproles last year. That is quite the leap to make on national television.
There’s sure to be more to this story. We’ll update if the Eagles or Kelly respond.
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