Do you feel like football fans are racist toward you?
“It’s not racism. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion.”
So if it’s not that, what is it, do you think?
“I’ll let you be the judge. I don’t look at it like that. I look at it like some people have certain beliefs, and I have my own belief, and we can agree to disagree on certain things. But this is what makes sports so amazing, that we can start a discussion around a table, in the newspaper, in the magazines, that will get people’s attention. And that’s what sports does.”
In January, right before the Super Bowl, you said: “I’m an African-American quarterback that may scare a lot of people because they haven’t seen nothing that they can compare me to.”
“I don’t want this to be about race, because it’s not. It’s not. Like, we’re beyond that. As a nation.”
You really think so?
“Yeah. I mean, you bring it to people’s attention. But after that, that’s it.”
What about the parents who won’t let their kids play football anymore? Would you let Chosen play?
“Of course. Why wouldn’t they let them play football?”
I’m incredulous that he’s so incredulous.
Concussions. Brain damage.
“But they don’t talk about the joy it brings! Super Bowl Sunday trumps every TV rating known to man.”
But that’s the point. I get to sit on my couch and watch you risk physical harm from Von Miller for my own entertainment. It’s great for me. But is it great for you?
“Oh, of course!” I believe that he really believes this. I believe that he loves what he does, even when it doesn’t love him back.
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