Yesterday we blogged about Riley Cooper of the Philadelphia Eagles and his use of the word N*gger while yelling at a black security guard at a Kenny Chesney concert. Cooper has since apologized but since his use of the racial slur we were curious what his team mates, prodominately black, would have to say. Would they defend him? Would they speak out against him? Well, now we know.
Although his brother put a bounty on Cooper’s head, Eagles Quarterback Michael Vick tells Geoff Mosher of Comcast Sports Net :
Kurt Coleman (Safety) says:
And here is what Jason Avant (Wide Receiver) had to say:
LeSean McCoy (Running Back) on the other hand feels a little differently from the rest of his team mates. He told Albert Breer of NFL.com:
In an interview with Geoff Mosher he elaborated:
Via Deadspin
Per Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com, McCoy said he wonders whether Cooper’s “true colors” came through in the moment captured by a hand-held phone’s video camera.
“I forgave Riley,” McCoy added, via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “It’s new. I hope it wears off. At this point, I speak for myself and other teammates, I know it’s different.”
Another player spoke anonymously:
“I’ll tell you one thing, if it was Andy Reid, he would have gotten more than a fine,” the player said on the condition of anonymity. Another veteran Eagles player said that he could not get past Cooper using the n-word and that he didn’t think he would ever speak to him again.
“The coaches are saying we should think team first, but this is just crazy,” the player said. “Was he thinking about the team when he said that?”
I like that LeSean has forgiven Cooper but at least admits that what Cooper did was WRONG and that it does hurt. The other players acting like it was a simple slip of the tongue proves that they have no backbone. I understand “team first” and even more, I understand that you are in a difficult position and must put on a “front” for the cameras, but never should you be afraid to voice your disappointment. Cooper was wrong and under no circumstance should he forget that.
