Chip Kelly Says Race Is Not A Factor In Team Cuts

Chip Kelly Says Race Is Not A Factor In Team Cuts

Back in March, Stephen A. Smith noted that Eagles Coach Chip Kelly had gotten rid of some of the best players, who were Black, while racist players like Riley Cooper remained on the team. Soon after, LeSean McCoy corroborated the observation, also accusing Kelly of racist firing practices.

Now, Kelly has finally spoken out. He denies any racism in his personnel selection and says LeSean has it all wrong. Via ESPN:

Eagles coach Chip Kelly said that running back LeSean McCoy was “wrong” in suggesting that race played a role in Kelly’s personnel decisions.

“I’ve got great respect for LeSean,” Kelly said Thursday in his first public reaction to McCoy’s comments. “However, in that situation, I think he’s wrong. We put a lot of time looking into character and factors that go into selection and retention of players. Color’s never been one of them.”

Kelly said he reached out to McCoy and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to try to clear the air, but that he hasn’t spoken to McCoy since trading him to Buffalo in March. Kelly said he wasn’t affected by McCoy’s comments.

“It doesn’t hurt me,” Kelly said. “I’m not governed by the fear of what other people say. Events don’t elicit feelings. Beliefs elicit feeling. I understand what my beliefs are and I know how I am.”

Do you believe him?