There’s a reason why race is a third-rail issue that most white people dare not venture near.
Former NFL running back Rashard Mendenhall took a shot at NFL analysts, specifically “average white guys,” expressing their take on football and JJ Watt — who is white and was anything but average when he played — got drawn into the ensuing controversy when he tried to make light of what many saw as a racist remark.
“I’m sick of average white guys commenting on football. Y’all not even good at football. Can we please replace the Pro Bowl with an All-Black vs. All-White bowl so these cats can stop trying to teach me who’s good at football. I’m better than ur goat,” Mendenhall tweeted.
While Tom Brady may beg to differ, the former Pittsburg Steelers player posted the tweet after an earlier tweet about the criticism directed at Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, a black Super Bowl-winner who has never had a losing season — Pittsburgh was outclassed in a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday that could have playoff implications.
Watts chimes in to poke a little fun by stating the obvious, that the white team would struggle to cover perhaps the fasted wide receiver in the game, Tyreek Hill, who plays for the Miami Dolphins: “We’d get cooked at corner, not gonna lie. Nobody on our squad is covering Tyreek.”
We’d get cooked at corner, not gonna lie.
Nobody on our squad is covering Tyreek https://t.co/CLCugkM4LS
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 18, 2023
Watt took heat from some for ignoring the racist connotations in Mendenhall’s tweet.
“Ignoring the blatant racism. God forbid a white guy stands up for himself,” one social media user responded.
This prompted one of the best defensive lineman to play the game to come back with a level-headed response:
“Buddy, listen… We don’t need to be offended by everything in the entire world,” Watt countered in a tweet. “He said white guys can’t play football. I thought to myself ‘I’m a white guy. I’m very good at football’ and concluded that his statement had no validity. Instead of arguing, I had some fun. End.”
Buddy, listen…
We don’t need to be offended by everything in the entire world.
He said white guys can’t play football.
I thought to myself “I’m a white guy. I’m very good at football” and concluded that his statement had no validity.
Instead of arguing, I had some fun.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 19, 2023
The same social media user replied that Watts made a “great point,” but added: “I wonder if the same leniency would apply if a white nfl player said something similar.”
With one political party using race for decades to bludgeon the opposition over the head, the issue of a double standard is a valid point. Here’s a quick sampling of some of the responses to the story, as seen on X:
This whole generation under this climate needs to get back to “People just say shit.” The old sticks and stones mindset. No need to get on pedestals over everything. Pay attention more to what people do than what they say.
— Tony (@Bocce305) December 19, 2023
Nice job! But this is why “they” get away with it! If you had said something similar, you would be canceled!
— Porter Rockwell (@moroni_capt) December 19, 2023
Double standards is crazy isn’t it♂️
— BeFureal (@Befureal69) December 19, 2023
Lol if it was the other way around it would be super racist tho (accrording to you)… You wouldnt be givinng us the “dont get offended”
— Vic Vinegar (@kankhunt2) December 19, 2023
Come on JJ, you know us white folks are always suppose to take the race bait – especially on X.
You handled it, superbly!
— AlwaysOrangeandBlue (@LiberateSD) December 19, 2023
You’re wrong JJ and I loved you as a player but if the roles were reversed this wouldn’t be perceived the same way
— Chuck Close (@chuckclose1) December 19, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
- Kroger scrambles after TikTok user calls Juneteenth cakes a ‘mockery’ – pulls items citing ‘quality’ - June 21, 2025
- Man with world’s highest recorded IQ says he believes Jesus Christ is God - June 20, 2025
- Catherine Herridge rips media, brings the receipts on CCP interference in 2020 election - June 20, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.