Current:Home > NewsJohnathan Walker:Colts owner Jim Irsay's unhinged rant is wrong on its own and another big problem for NFL -ClearPath Finance
Johnathan Walker:Colts owner Jim Irsay's unhinged rant is wrong on its own and another big problem for NFL
Burley Garcia View
Date:2025-04-08 17:13:53
Congratulations,Johnathan Walker Jim Irsay.
Your unhinged rant has earned you a commemorative dog whistle. Given the lawyers handling the racial discrimination case against the NFL some serious heartburn, too, even before they sat down for Thanksgiving dinner.
The Indianapolis Colts owner melted down on social media Wednesday night, attacking ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin because she dared criticize Irsay’s absurd claim that his 2014 DWI arrest was because he was a “rich, white billionaire.” Irsay called Martin "mean and ugly" and "a nothing burger," and referred to her as "the Woman that preceded Stephen A. (Smith)" during the segment on ESPN's "First Take" rather than calling the longtime NFL reporter by her name.
Irsay, who is white, also claimed to have a "Black Mom." And since everyone knows having Black friends means you can’t be racist, having a Black "mom" must make you super immune to bigotry.
"If my Black Mother Dorthy was still alive .. you’d be in some big Hot Water!" Irsay fumed to Martin.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Martin took the insult in stride, changing the name on her X profile to "Woman that preceded Stephen A" and responding to Irsay's attack with a simple "You're*".
But the problem with Irsay’s screed, aside from the bad spelling and overuse of capital letters, is it echoes the tropes that have been used to dehumanize Black women for centuries.
Irsay might not have called Martin an "angry Black woman," but he might as well have. Dorthy Bloodsaw might have had a profound impact on Irsay’s life, but in describing her role in raising him, and his children, he reduces her to a quintessential mammy caricature.
"The trope painted a picture of a domestic worker who had undying loyalty to their slaveholders, as caregivers and counsel," according to an article on the "Popular and Pervasive Stereotypes of African Americans" on the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s website.
"Considered a trusted figure in white imaginations, mammies represented contentment and served as nostalgia for whites concerned about racial equality."
It was also notable that out of all the people who criticized Irsay’s privileged ignorance, and there were many, the only person Irsay went after personally was Martin.
MORE:Ex-police chief disputes allegation from Jim Irsay, says he reviewed arrest in question
Even when Andrea Kremer asked Irsay if he realized what it sounded like for him, a wealthy and privileged white man, to cry discrimination, he got defensive and even a little angry. But he didn’t berate Kremer. When the interview aired Tuesday night on HBO’s "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," Irsay didn’t get on social media and savage Kremer and question her credentials.
No, he saved that for Martin. A Black woman.
Which brings us to the biggest problem with Irsay’s rant. The NFL is currently the subject of two racial discrimination lawsuits. One is by coach Brian Flores, who said the league and several of its teams are "rife with racism," pointing to their shameful record of hiring Black and brown head coaches. The other is by veteran sports journalist Jim Trotter, who said he was fired from the NFL Network for repeatedly challenging commissioner Roger Goodell on the league’s shortcomings on diversity.
As part of his lawsuit, Trotter named two owners, Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula, whom he said made racially charged statements. This after current Houston Texans owner Cal McNair had to issue an apology for using a racial slur during the team’s charity golf tournament in 2021. Which is not to be confused with his late father, who made the "inmates running the prison" comment about players protesting for social justice.
And, of course, who can forget former Washington owner Dan Snyder defiantly clinging to a racist nickname for years until sponsors forced his hand.
OPINION:Colts owner Jim Irsay needs to check his privilege
Now add to this Irsay’s tirade, which, if it isn’t an obvious display of racism, it’s uncomfortably close.
The NFL has tried to downplay or distance itself from all of these examples, insisting it is not discriminatory or racist. But when things like this occur with the frequency they do in the NFL, it makes it harder and harder to deny.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
veryGood! (857)
Related
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- SpaceX launch: Europe's Hera spacecraft on way to study asteroid Dimorphos
- The beautiful crazy of Vanderbilt's upset of Alabama is as unreal as it is unexplainable
- 'We know we're good': Mets pounce after Phillies pull ace in latest rousing comeback
- FBI: California woman brought sword, whip and other weapons into Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
- 'I have receipts': Breanna Stewart emotional after Liberty get revenge over Aces
- Holiday shopping begins: Amazon, Walmart, more retailers have big sales events this week
- Veterans of Alaska’s Oil Industry Look to Blaze a Renewable Energy Pathway in the State
- Big Lots store closures could exceed 300 nationwide, discount chain reveals in filing
- Meals on Wheels rolling at 50, bringing food, connections, sunshine to seniors
Ranking
- Daughter of Utah death row inmate navigates complicated dance of grief and healing before execution
- Mega Millions winning numbers for October 4 drawing: Jackpot at $129 million
- Kristen Doute Reveals Surprising Status of Stassi Schroeder Friendship After Recent Engagement
- New 'Menendez Brothers' documentary features interviews with Erik and Lyle 'in their own words'
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- The beautiful crazy of Vanderbilt's upset of Alabama is as unreal as it is unexplainable
- Bear with 3 cubs attacks man after breaking into Colorado home
- San Jose State women's volleyball team has been thrown into debate after forfeits
Recommendation
Clay Aiken's son Parker, 15, makes his TV debut, looks like his father's twin
Rake it or leave it? What gross stuff may be hiding under those piles on your lawn?
Supreme Court rejects Republican-led challenge to ease voter registration
Veterans of Alaska’s Oil Industry Look to Blaze a Renewable Energy Pathway in the State
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
How did the Bills lose to Texans? Baffling time management decisions cost Buffalo
Minnesota man arrested after allegedly threatening to ‘shoot up’ synagogue
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Mom Janice Defends Him Against “Public Lynching” Amid Sexual Abuse Allegations