As the #IsChipKellyRacist phenomena snowballs, inevitably all the ex-Eagles who formerly played under Chip Kelly are going to be asked by reporters whether they think their old coach is racist. Let's keep track of where the ex-Eagles stand (in alphabetical order):
Brandon Boykin, Steelers, via CSN Philly, and ESPN
Boykin originally said via text to CSNPhilly's Derrick Gunn that Chip Kelly is "uncomfortable around men of our culture." He later clarified what he meant, via ESPN:
"When you're a player, you want to be able to relate to your coach off the field," Boykin told reporters at St. Vincent College, site of Steelers training camp. "There were times he just didn't talk to people. You would walk down the hallway, he wouldn't say anything to you. I'm not saying he's a racist in any way."
Verdict: Initially #TeamRacist, but now #TeamNotRacist
Nick Foles, Rams, via Yahoo:
"Well, you know, it’s one of those things where Chip’s got to do what he’s got to do. He’s got the power. I know this whole thing happened, but no, I don’t see anything like that," Foles said. "It’s tough when you’re somewhere and a team lets you go; I get that part of it.
Verdict: #TeamNotRacist
Todd Herremans, Colts, via Twitter
Herremans chimed in via Twitter in response to a fan:
Verdict: #NotRacist
DeSean Jackson, Redskins, via BET
"When I was released by the Eagles, I feel they tried to paint a picture that definitely wasn't true. It was a slap in the face, coming off one of my best seasons in the NFL," Jackson said on the show, speaking of rumored reports that Philadelphia cut him due to alleged gang ties back home in California. "The Eagles tried to blow me up. That's cold how they did it."
During one sequence, Jackson's friend says: "Like they tried to persecute you from where you come from, bro."
Jackson agrees, offering: "That's why I think they fired me. Have I went to jail? I ain't done none of that.
"I was at the top of the top. And then I got released. It was a smear campaign," he continued. Things media said about me, I bet you could say that about the majority of people in the NFL. I got a second chance to play in the NFL and I'm proving I'm one of the best receivers in the game."
Verdict: DeSean stopped short of calling Chip racist, but he hinted toward #TeamRacist.
Jeremy Maclin, Chiefs, via Sports Illustrated:
“It was fine and I have nothing bad to say about Chip,” Maclin said. “Everybody knows Chip likes to do things a certain way, which is fine. He’s in control. My relationship with him is fine. As a matter of fact, Chip texted me a couple days ago, so we’re fine. I don’t get into all that. Now, Boykin’s relationship with Chip is different than mine. It’s not my place to say anything about that. My relationship with him was fine, and he texted me the other days, saying ‘Good luck, you’re a beast.’ I texted him back saying, ‘Good luck, Coach. Hope you all do well.’”
Verdict: #TeamNotRacist
Evan Mathis, free agent, via text
"Chip may be a lot of things but calling him a racist is outright ignorant. Ergo, #TeamNotRacist."
Verdict: #TeamNotRacist
LeSean McCoy, Bills, via ESPN
"The relationship was never really great. I feel like I always respected him as a coach. I think that's the way he runs his team. He wants the full control. You see how fast he got rid of all the good players. Especially all the good black players. He got rid of them the fastest. That's the truth. There's a reason. ... It's hard to explain with him. But there's a reason he got rid of all the black players -- the good ones -- like that."
Verdict: #TeamRacist
So here's where we stand:
We'll update this as more players opine on Chip. Reporters in Oakland, Houston, Minnesota, and Indianapolis, we await your comments from Nate Allen, Chris Polk, Casey Matthews, and Trent Cole. Thanks in advance for your contributions to this important journalistic effort.
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