The revelation of Jon Gruden’s controversial emails resulted in the kind of blowback that is expected nowadays. Cries of racism, public condemnation, public apologies, and statements akin to “see, I told you white people were racist” dominated headlines. Randy Moss even openly wept on television, saddened that Gruden’s email was a sign that we are moving backward as a country (even though these emails were from over 10 years ago).
Yet, for all these emotions over racism, these theatrics lack consistency. No one is defending Gruden here, but where was this outrage when Antonio Brown called (incidentally) Raiders executive Mike Mayock a “cracker”?
This incident occurred in 2019, when Antonio Brown was a member of the then-Oakland Raiders. Mayock and Brown got into an argument, and Brown allegedly called Mayock a “cracker” while threatening to physically harm him. The Raiders announced they would not punish Brown for his racism. Moreover, neither did the NFL. Brown was eventually cut by the team, but he later signed with the New England Patriots and eventually the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was never held accountable for the anti-white racial slur. Brown also recently settled a civil suit in which he was accused of sexually assaulting a female trainer.
Jermaine Whitehead, a defensive back for the Cleveland Browns in 2019, called Dustin Fox, a former NFL player and an employee for Browns radio, a “cracker” after Fox called Whitehead’s tackling a joke after a game that season. Whitehead responded on Twitter: “I’m out there with a broke hand…don’t get smoked f*** a** cracker.” Whitehead was cut from the team the next day. Yet, he was never punished by the NFL. And, given the relative anonymity of Whitehead, it is safe to say his racism did not amount to any significant outrage.
Then there was wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who made antisemitic Instagram posts in 2020. He posted quotes attributed to Hitler and antisemitic statements from Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. The Eagles allegedly fined him, but he kept his job. Also, Jackson was not punished by the NFL.
There are other examples of racist comments by black NFL players. Just this year alone, wide receiver Devin Funchess used an anti-Asian racial slur while speaking with reporters in August. Additionally, defensive back Carlton Davis tweeted an anti-Asian slur. You’re forgiven if you have not heard of either of these players. None of their racism resulted in punishment from the NFL. Mere apologies were sufficient.
Whataboutism is not my preferred choice of refutation, but it’s obligatory in this instance. The deafening silence on anti-white slurs in comparison to Gruden’s comments speaks volumes. There were no open weeping sessions on television programs by former NFL players. No widespread outrage and condemnation. It’s indicative of the duplicity that exists regarding claims of racism. Gruden lost his job over private emails from a decade ago, while Brown caught two touchdown passes last Sunday. He also played in last year’s Super Bowl, and he is scheduled to play in tonight’s game against the Eagles. Do you think Gruden will get another opportunity to coach?
The truth of the matter is black people get coddled when exposed as doing things perceived as racist. They enjoy a layer of protection that is not reserved for white people who do similar things. Furthermore, it shows that the outrage is nothing more than theatricality and is predicated solely on punitive acts against white offenders. Truthfully, these are not people concerned with racial equality. They are just concerned with making sure infractions by white people go viral while other equally offensive acts are moved on from as quickly as possible. It’s an unfair double standard and needs to be exposed and highlighted every time it happens.
