Packers Receiver Jordy Nelson: Yeah, Being White Helps Me on the Football Field
- Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:05pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Jordy Nelson (Photo: AP)
Jordy Nelson is the only white wide receiver on the Green Bay Packers roster. And besides just being a minority in the team’s receiver corps, he’s also a minority when it comes to being a receiver in the NFL. And for Nelson, that’s just fine — according to him, it even helps him.
In an interview with the Green Bay Press Gazette this week, Nelson was asked if his race helped him on the field, the idea behind the question being that many opponents underestimate his athletic ability because of his skin color. His response?
“Honestly, I think it is (a factor),” Nelson told Rob Demovsky. “As receivers, we’ve talked about. I know (cornerbacks coach) Joe Whitt tells me all the time, when all the rookies come in, he gives them the heads up, ‘Don’t let him fool ya.’ That’s fine with me.”
Fellow receiver Greg Jennings agrees: “A lot of it has to do with the fact that guys look at him say, ‘OK, yeah, he’s the white guy, he can’t be that good.’ Well, he is that good. He’s proven to be that good, and it’s because of the work and the time that he’s put on not only on the field but in his preparation off the field.”
He added: “It’s easy for someone to say, ‘Oh yeah, he’s like one of those other white receivers. He’s not. I’m sorry. He’s not. He knows how I feel about it. Maybe I’m a little biased because he is a teammate, but from watching him day one to right now, totally different player.”
But they’re not the only ones. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, an early candidate for league MVP, thinks they’re on to something.
On his weekly radio show in Milwaukee, he recalled a conversation he had with defensive star Charles Woodson on the sidelines during the end of the Packers Monday night blowout of Minnesota.
“I was talking to ‘Wood’ in the fourth quarter and he said, ‘When you see Jordy out there, you think, “Oh well, he’s a white wide receiver. He won’t be very athletic.” But Jordy sort of breaks all those stereotypes,’” Rodgers said. “I am not sure why he keeps sneaking up on guys.”
On his radio show Friday, Rush Limbaugh was fine with the trio’s take.
“This is Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings and Aaron Rodgers agreeing that there‘s a stereotype in the league that the white guys aren’t as fast and Jordy Nelson is — he‘s able to sneak up on these guys because the brother don’t think that he’s going to be that fast,” Limbaugh said. “It’s perfectly fine.”
Jordy doesn’t seem to mind, either. When writer Jason Wilde pointed out that Of the top 15 pass-catchers in the yardage ranking, only one of the other wide receivers — New England’s Wes Welker, the NFL leader in receptions and yards — is white, Nelson laughed.
“I told you not to let the secret out.”
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Comments (68)
last frontier
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 10:08pmWe need affirmative action on the football field so we can get more poor performing under privileged white players.
Report Post »Gumbercules
Posted on November 19, 2011 at 12:46amAmen.
Report Post »black9897
Posted on November 19, 2011 at 12:19pmI‘m a white guy and I’ve always been very athletic. I can jump high, run a decent speed and pretty quick to. I can play some football!
Report Post »kchercmech
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 8:26pmHahaha! Telling racially charged jokes, and statements in a negative way about white people is so funny! Those stupid white people. Don’t they know that because they are white they are inferior? The news media says so – so, it must be true. Wait, I am white. I am so depressed.
It’s all racism, this country seems to believe that racism against white people is ok. It is not. it is racist, nothing else. If blacks, mexi’s, and every other group are to be looked at like an endangered species, they need to go back to math class. As it currently sits, WHITE males are the ONLY group that has to endure racism in America. What’s that? Don’t believe me? Count how many times you see a race joke directed at a white person or white people on tv; then, count how many times you see the opposite. I can guarantee you will see all of the before mentioned, and none of the latter.
I am a vet who works, pays bills, and is working towards a degree. My cost per class at a particular college is $1750. My girlfriend is not a vet, hasn’t held a job in years because of the freedom I provide, is also working towards her third degree is charged $200 LESS per class – for the same classes. She and I both know racism is in full swing, but no one is allowed to care about those filthy rich white people. Fair? No such thing.
Report Post »Marsh626
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 7:39pmYeah. Haha. Racism against White people is so hilarious. Against any other race though, watch out, they’ll stick your head on a pike for even the slightest hint that you might be racist.
For example: Decades of IQ data; historyl academic, crime and economic statistics clearly show that Whites dramatically outperform blacks. Yet you dare not mention it like I am now.
Heck, my comment will probably be deleted and my account banned for doing so.
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on November 19, 2011 at 1:38amI’m as surprised as you are that your comment was posted ,Amen brother! This bull has got to stop!
Report Post »robert
Posted on November 20, 2011 at 9:13amMarsh626
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 7:39pm”
“For example: Decades of IQ data; historyl academic, crime and economic statistics clearly show that Whites dramatically outperform blacks. Yet you dare not mention it like I am now. ”
What you have written is no less than a provable fact. Only the radical, far left sites are disallowing factually based comments involving race right now. Isn’t it odd that “progressives” and “liberals” aren’t very progressive and liberal at all, so much so they deem it appropriate to deny First Amendment rights?
The facts behind your statement can be found by Googling “Group I.Q. scores and SAT test scores, ” among other named tests which can also verify your data. If you do that you will note that black group I.Q. and other test scores are lower than any other racial group in this country, not just whites.
But why do Liberal/Progressive sites disallow those comments? Because every group in the US does well competing on an equal basis but blacks and if that information is common knowledge white liberal complaints about white “prejudiice,” systemic racism and slavery two hundred years ago have no bearing on performances today. Without being able to lay the blame on these things for lack of black success, liberals can’t intimidate white citizens into feeling guilty, and racist blacks like Jeremiah Wright’s, Michael Dyson’s, and Cornell Wests’s allegations come across as pure nonsense.
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:40pmThe NFL is racist. If things were reversed and there were a ton of whites on each team and few blacks, the blacks would be boycotting and marching and crying. It would not matter if the players were picked by ability or not. Businesses pick by IQ and ability too but they have to put that all aside to hire blacks who know nothing and do nothing but get a paycheck. The government would step in and make the NFL recruit more blacks regardless of ability. Then…let it be so with us. I want more whites on the NFL teams or we should begin boycotting the NFL. I already do to some extent anyway. I watch very little football in comparison to what I used to watch…just because it is just black players and I am sick of it.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 6:22pmI’m old enough to remember the few black Packers in the early 60s. Lombardi was among the few that didn’t see color, just talent & heart. I also remember when they’d stay in a National Guard barracks rather than a hotel that was segregated. The worst place believe it or not was the Washington Redskins. Real prejudice on that team. So cut the black player some slack. It’ll all work out in the end.
Report Post »Memphismerlin
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 6:37pmReally Carnac? That has to be one of the most offensive and racist things iv’e read in a long time. Who cares what color a player is? The only things that should matter is are they good player and are they a good person.
Report Post »If you have a problem with the way something is done, the solution is not to try and do it too. You just come off as another closet racist that gives the rest of us a bad name.
Buck Shane
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 6:57pmWhat’s the problem?
Report Post »Black people have a body center of gravity on average 1.5 inches higher than white people. They run faster, jump higher, and cut better – on average. White people have thicker legs – offensive line – better visualization – there are more great white passers. There are advantages to being white, and there are advantages to being black. But, we need to make everything racial. Why? If I have to cover a black receiver, its likely to be a longer afternoon than if I play position and have to cover a white receiver. Its not racism – its the truth.
Why is this even a story?
NewLife56
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:32pmIs it really needed to report every single word someone says, and try and make it news? With all the problems we have (Not just you Blaze, we LOVE ya) but with all the issues facing us, does this crap even need to be published?
Report Post »kmichaels
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:39pmWhat, you were forced to read this story and comment on this story? And another thing, can’t you multitask and worry about more than one issue at a time?
Report Post »dorightfearnothing
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:25pm“Nelson laughs”, if the roles were reversed there would be hell to pay, public apologies, careers destroyed. Notice how Nelson doesn’t care, doesn’t allow such ignorant thinking to effect him, doesn’t have the poor me attitude, he just lets people think what they want, say what they want, do what they want, and lets his actions speak for itself. That’s American thinking, that’s how America used to be… Well done Mr. Nelson…
Report Post »suzy000
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:11pmJordy Nelson is one of my Fantasy players…Oh Yes!
Report Post »Ohio Guy
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:11pmPeyton Hillis of the Browns said in an interview after last season that he heard racial comments about his play even while running around, over and through such vaunted defenses as the Steelers and Ravens. He too is white. Interesting yet meaningless. Race matters not. The Browns entire wide receiving corp is Black unfortunately they are also slow and unathletic.
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on November 19, 2011 at 1:35amDa homeboys can say and do anything about race with impunity,but only because we allow it! Why don’t we talk about all the deadbeat “dads” that father children and then let the maternal grandmother raise the child? Pretty sad and very prevalent among the youth of our country!
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:59pmBRONCOS won last night! Right on.
Report Post »ImaHippyBurning
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:57pmWho can I now sue due to being born a white minority and where the hell is all my free stuff?
Report Post »matinva
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:54pmIt makes no difference what your ‘color’ is. You have every advantage in the world…as long as YOU BELIEVE you have.
“As a man thinketh in his heart; so is he”.
You are either a success or failure in life between your own two ears. Beyond that, it doesn’t matter.
People who understand that are Liberal’s worst nightmares.
Report Post »ned1235
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 10:40pmIn a dream world it doesn’t but think back to when that Texas teenager won that scholarship that was “white only” (even though there are plenty of black only or any other minority). In the end he didn’t even take the scholorship because of all the racist stuff that was all over the news. The color of your skin shouldn’t matter but in U.S.A. it sadly does. That scholorship by the way wasn’t worth half of some “black only” scholarships out there.
Report Post »Oraclevoiceofreason
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:51pmOne of my sons ( who is white ) and only 6′0 played basketball – incredibly gifted as a “true point” guard and he was always underestimated and overlooked because he was short white AND MORMON… he loved it – it worked to his advantage and when he was able to block a shot against Dwight Howard in a HS tourney ( years ago) …. well – his talent showed.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 6:18pmIf only one of your sons is white, you should stay home more often.
Report Post »Ad-Fundum
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 7:36pmvery funny reply :-)
Report Post »AB5r
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:50pmSome of done reports on the increased crime in places like Penn State and other remote college towns due to the increased presence of minority athletes recruited to help athletic programs but in many cases no where even remotely close to being academically suited to the environment.
Report Post »Oraclevoiceofreason
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:48pmIT”S FOOTBALL PEEEEEEPUL – no one cares – it’s not racist.
Report Post »geonj
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:47pmracists
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:44pmWhite guy opens mouth, inserts foot.
Report Post »I am 5′ 10” and old, so they discriminate against me in the NBA. Do I have a valid lawsuit?
kmichaels
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:41pmNext time read the article before you comment.
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:43pmIf the N.F.L. reflected the population, there would be more white guys at every position. No affirmative action in the N.F.L. – they hire according to the player with the most ability. This is not so in the politically correct non-sports world.
Report Post »912er
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:40pmGood thing he wasn’t compaired to the President…. someone might have gotten expelled.
Report Post »Nations
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:35pmI am German, Scotts, English, Cherokee, and some other stuff. I have been told that I also have some Black blood. I played every position on the football field in my youth and I played them all well. I don’t care that I am a little of everything because if I needed blood after some operation or an accident I would not refuse any of that stuff. All Blood is red and we are all pretty much Human. Those who Leverage via race need to get a life. It is about what you do with that life that matters. Race, get over it.
Report Post »martinez012577
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:30pmI am assuming its ok to say well he is a black Qb he isnt that good right?
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on November 19, 2011 at 1:15amNo it just takes a little longer to grasp the playbook,tell me where I’m wrong bleeding heart jackasses! How long do these people think WHITEY is gonna take this ********?I know I have had enough! Between the beaners and the gangstas there are enough to fill all the prisons,but thats ”our” fault isn’t it? I am so sick of the PC ********!
Report Post »wewantchillywilly
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:23pmsorry. this isn NOT a ‘white man can’t jump’ revenge thing going on here.
on any other team this guy is just another 3rd, 4th string receiver. he looks good now because his QB and offensive system make him look good. i guarantee you if he is on any other team, he makes almost little impact. and that goes with ALL the receivers on that team; white or black. they benefit from the system they have in Green Bay.
You put the worst receiving corps in the NFL on the packers offense, I guarantee you they look like pro bowlers because their offense and QB make them look good. the key is their QB.
Look at the Colts. their receivers are doing nothing now that Manning is out. they all looked unstoppable with Manning. Same thing happens if Rodgers isn’t there.
sorry, JORDY, but you’re just a beneficiary of a good QB and good offense. it’s not because other teams see you as white and just kind of passively cover you. it‘s because defenses can’t guard 4 receivers and 2 TE’s on the field. and they can’t guard perfect throws. somebody is bound to get open. sometimes it’s you.
what an arrogant ass.
Report Post »Watchingtheweasels
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:44pm>You put the worst receiving corps in the NFL on the packers offense, I guarantee you they look like
>pro bowlers because their offense and QB make them look good. the key is their QB.
You mean like Andrew Luck and his stable of Heisman quality receivers over at Stanford who got totally exposed against Oregon? The guy has talent.
Report Post »augiematt
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:59pmsounds like a vike-queen fan
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:01pmwewantchillywilly
Have you watched Nelson play? Yes Rogers does play a big part but Rogers can’t catch the ball for him and gain yards after the catch. You are evidently confusing Nelsons confidence for arrogance. There is a difference. In 4 years as a receiver he has only fumbled the ball 1 time out of 134 catches. He is that good.
Report Post »lemmyrules
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 7:16pmI would like to see 4 recievers and 2 tight ends on the field at the same time it cannot happen knucklehead.
Report Post »grayling646
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:20pmI was born a poor black child….
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:35pmI was born… in Detroit…
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:58pmA classic! I hope that they don’t remake it.
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:06pmlukerw
I feel sorry for you.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 6:30pmMichael Jackson was also born a poor black child, but he slowly worked his way up.
Report Post »Mapache
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:17pmSo, it is OK to presume that Blacks are automatically faster than White guys, that White guys can’t jump but say a White is better at anything and the world goes nuts. I always figured the reason that Kenyans always win the marathon is because the slow ones (and their genes) were eaten by lions.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:25pmDarwin’s Rule # 1 Run faster than the slowest villager.
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on November 19, 2011 at 1:24amI guess revs al or jesse don’t read the blaze or dey would be filled wit righteous indignation at such racist talk!
Report Post »jchristnumber2
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:14pmBeing white has helped me also.
Report Post »EgoBrain
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:19pmMe too. I love being white.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:13pmSo, Reverse “discrimination” can be an Asset? Idiot! Hey, demand more Night Games!
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