Riley Cooper Use of Racial Slur Costly
Riley Cooper Use of Racial Slur Costly
By Russell Roberts
The fallout continues, and is potentially costly, over the use of a racial slur by Philadelphia Eaglesâ wide receiver Riley Cooper.
Cooper was excused from all team activities so he could go seek counseling, take some time away from the team and try to understand how hurtful his words had been.
It was revealed that Cooper had been threatened on social media for his use of the N word at a Kenny Chesney concert in June.
The issue of Cooperâs having to leave camp was a significant one for both him and the Philadelphia Eagles. Earlier this pre-season Eaglesâ wide receiver Jeremy Maclin suffered a season-ending knee injury. Cooper had been counted on to help pick up some of the harm Maclinâs absence will cause, particularly since the Eagles are attempting to institute a new offense this year under new head coach Chip Kelly. Maclin â then Cooper â was supposed to be a big part of that offense.
More to the point is how the Eagles will treat Cooper beyond his return and throughout the season. Several members of the Eagles have already said that theyâve lost respect for Cooper. How those players react to Cooperâs eventual return will ultimately determine Cooperâs fate.
Riley Cooper’s use of racial slur very costly. Photo Credit: webpronews.com
More than any other sport, football is a team game. For Cooper to be successful requires a synchronized effort among many different parts of the team: the offensive line has to block effectively, the running backs and other wide receivers have to create diversionary targets, and the quarterback has to deliver the ball. Only then will Cooper be able to catch passes. If just one of those players decides that he doesnât respect Cooper and thus gives a half-hearted effort, the play falls apart and the ball doesnât get to Cooper.
The other dynamic to consider is whether Cooper is truly welcomed back in the Eaglesâ locker room, or as time goes on will he become a polarizing influence that divides the team? The overused clichĂ© âgoing to war with those guysâ is heard in every sport, but it applies to football more than any other sport. If some of the other players decide that they canât âgo to warâ with Cooper, itâs going to create bad feelings in the locker room, and a locker room with bad feelings is the kiss of death in sports. No matter how many times Coach Kelly says Cooperâs spot with the team is safe, he cannot afford a divided locker room. If the only way to stop that is to cut Cooper, then Cooper will be gone.
Only one thing is certain: This story has yet to play out. However, one thing it does do is illustrate once again the widespread evil of racism.
Featured Photo Credit: thegrio.com