Anthony Farris
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Rams Pro Bowler Cooper Kupp is arguably the top receiver in the NFL. Fans and media alike are often impressed — yet also surprised — by what the receiver does between the white lines.
The reason for their astonishment? It’s not his height or his skill. It’s his skin tone.
“If Cooper Kupp were black, we’d all talk about him in a different way,” ESPN’s Ryan Clark said during a Tuesday appearance on The Dan Patrick Show.
“A lot of times we look at the (skin) color of a wide receiver and we want to compare them to people who they look like, more so than people who they play like.”
Clark’s not wrong, he’s just saying what everyone else is thinking. Comparing white players with other white players and black players to other black players is a lazy yet common practice that’s been around for decades.
Kupp, by the way, led the league in the three most notable receiving categories this fall: catches (145), yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16).
“Cooper Kupp is not Julian Edelman,” Clark added. “Cooper Kupp is not Wes Welker. Cooper Kupp is in the conversations with the Davante Adams and the DeAndre Hopkins of the world.”
To Clark’s credit, he views Kupp’s game for what it is.
“To me, Cooper Kupp is a Davante Adams , Justin Jefferson…he’s in the conversations with those type of guys for feel of the game, route running, and catching ability,” Clark told Patrick.
“As route running goes, I think he’s one of the greatest that’s ever lived,” said Clark. “…Cooper creates so much separation with his route running, that I just think it’s so underrated the type of athlete and player that he is.”
There’s no gray area here. In fact, it’s pretty black and white: Cooper’s elite and Clark’s a fan.
Follow along on Twitter: @OhioAF
Clark just another bigot racist looking at everything through skin color what a fucking moron they just can’t talk sports always gotta be crying about something never happy or satisfied ditched espn long ago because of this nonsense
Clark was actually making the opposite plan. He was saying we need to not look at skin tone. And just look at his skill set
Got it thanks I appreciate
*point
what a dumbass comment. Clark was making the case for Cooper you idiot
GFY
So is he saying Edelman and Welker were not great route runners? I am confused
I actually commend Clark for what he said. He’s being complimentary to Kupp and stating that we shouldn’t be comparing black and white. Let’s just appreciate Kupp for the great receiver that he is.
Kupp.. A real lunch pale kind of guy. Sneaky athletic. First guy in, last guy out. lol…
The total numbers of White WRs in The NFL over the past ten years could fit in a mini-van … along with all the black FG kickers / deep snappers. Actually maybe a dozen more of the former than the latter.
From the old days of Lance Alworth, Fred Bilentikoff, Ray Berry to the recent arrival of Wes Welker, Edleman and now Kupp … White WRs were rarer than hens’ teeth in The NFL for most of the past 30+ years. I don’t know why. Ask a sports anthropologist.
Rhetorical Question: Have Welker, Edeman, Kupp pulled any of the “LOOK AT ME Diva Crap” that “other WRS’ are noted for …. Terrell Owens, OchoWhatever, OBJ, Michael Irvin, and this year’s version Antonio Brown ??? Just askin….
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You must not watch football
I didn’t know who they were comparing him to because other than live sports I haven’t watch that Network in 2 years. If the hide my college teams on ****+ I go to my local establishment and give them my money instead of to Disney. He is a great receiver having a great year.
Good for Ryan Clark and Cooper Kupp.
Everything he said is the truth, which means he’s not long for ESPN.
Cooper Kupp reminds me of Jordy Nelson. Lol