ESPN's Stephen A. Smith slams Tim Tebow's return to the NFL as example of ‘white privilege’



ESPN sports commentator Stephen A. Smith claimed Thursday that "white privilege" is the primary reason that former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow has been given another opportunity to make it in the National Football League.

"If I'm gonna bring up white privilege when I brought up Steve Nash getting the job in Brooklyn, is this not an example of white privilege?" Smith said on ESPN's "First Take" before asking, "What brother do you know that's getting this opportunity?"

"Now that makes people uncomfortable because we're talking about race," Smith continued. "Let me be the first to say, I don't give a damn how you feel. I mean what I say. It is white privilege."

Tebow, an outspoken evangelical Christian and former NFL quarterback, signed a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars this week in a bid to make the team at the tight end position. Tebow's former college coach at the University of Florida, Urban Meyer, is now the head coach of the Jaguars.

First Take reacts to the Jaguars officially signing Tim Tebow as a tight end www.youtube.com

Meyer has previously defended his team's decision to give Tebow a tryout earlier this month by claiming his former player was in the "best shape of his life" and a "competitive maniac."

In a statement expressing gratitude to the Jaguars for the opportunity, Tebow said, "I want to thank the Jaguars for the opportunity to compete and earn the chance to be part of this team. I know it will be a challenge, but it is a challenge I embrace. I am dedicated to taking the direction of our coaching staff and learning from my teammates. I appreciate everyone's support as I embark on this new journey."

The 33-year-old athlete last played in the NFL in 2015. He was drafted in 2010 by the Denver Broncos, where he primarily served as a backup over two seasons. However, in 2011, he became the starting QB in Week 5 and led the Broncos to the playoffs where they won their Wild Card game matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

His career fizzled in the following years as it became apparent he wasn't talented enough to play QB at the professional level.

During the segment on ESPN, Smith said he was happy for Tebow as a person but argued that similar opportunities would never be given to black athletes, such as Colin Kaepernick. He also linked his reaction to the black community's reaction to George Floyd's death last year.

"Because black people have repeatedly felt like we have the proverbial knee on our neck," he said. "We constantly have to scratch and claw our way. When we see someone of a different ilk, of a different ethnicity, getting opportunities we know we would never get, that's where the words 'white privilege' comes from."

Iconic former Jaguars player derails racial outrage over Tim Tebow: 'We don’t need Colin Kaepernick on our team'



An iconic former Jacksonville Jaguars player derailed the social media outrage over a report that the team will sign Tim Tebow while controversial former player Colin Kaepernick continues unsigned.

Supporters of Kaepernick and his anti-police crusade took to Twitter in outrage that Tebow, an outspoken Christian and former quarterback, might join the team at the tight end position. Many claimed it was the latest example of racist discrimination in the the NFL against Kaepernick.

Former wide receiver Jimmy Smith denied that race had anything to do with the decision.

"This is my team. We don't need Colin Kaepernick on our team!" said Smith during an interview with TMZ.

Smith said that Kaepernick would just divide the players in the locker room.

"We need a guy like Tim Tebow, who's a hometown hero who has love for the city anyway!" he added.

"He's going to be a great support for Trevor Lawrence," Smith said, referring to the team's recently drafted quarterback. "Whatever capacity that is, it's going to be a positive rather than a negative."

Smith went on to speak directly to complaints from other players that Tebow received consideration only because he's white.

"I doesn't matter whether you're black or white, what matters is, you got a great example of a player in Tim Tebow. Alright? That's the guy I want to associate with!" he said.

"What has Tim Tebow done to these people?" Smith asked.

He also praised Tebow for his faith and expressed hope that he would help the franchise get back to winning football games.

Smith played 11 seasons for the Jacksonville Jaguars and scored 67 touchdowns while recording 862 catches for 12,287 yards for the team.

Here's the interview with Smith:

Jimmy Smith Says Kaepernick Could Have Divided Jaguars, 'We Need A Guy Like Tim Tebow' | TMZ Sportswww.youtube.com

Former NFL player demands people drop the ‘race bulls**t’ when it comes to Tim Tebow



Former NFL linebacker Brandon Spikes hit out at the "race bulls**t" that ensued after it was announced former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow would likely return to the NFL.

Many people railed against the NFL for its interest in Tebow while former NFL quarterback-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned for several seasons in a row.

Various reports have indicated that 33-year-old Tebow — former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner — could sign a one-year contract to play tight end with the Jacksonville Jaguars this week.

What are the details?

Spikes — who played college football with Tebow for the Florida Gators — railed against the criticism on Tuesday, writing, "Shessh why sooo much hate for my bruh Tebow?"

Shessh why sooo much hate for my bruh Tebow ? 🤦🏿‍♂️

— BrandonSpikes55 (@brandonspikes55) 1620742129.0

He later added, "I'm gonna call Urb and see if i can get a job as the head Equipment Manager for the jaguars lol. So y'all can stop pulling this race bulls**t! This ain't that. It's all about their relationship built people."

Image source: Twitter screenshot

Spikes. who played six seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, also pointed out that he believes Tebow will serve as an inspiration in the locker room.

He wrote, "Tim Tebow will be an inspiration in any locker room trust me i know."

Tim Tebow will be an inspiration in any locker room trust me i know

— BrandonSpikes55 (@brandonspikes55) 1620743226.0

As previously reported by Blaze Media, myriad social media users ran with the reports and suggested that race and white supremacy were factors in the alleged decision.

Actor Steven Pasquale tweeted about the news, said that white privilege was at the root of the purported decision.

"Tim Tebow finding a team and Colin Kaepernick can't. White privilege NFL style," he wrote. "Tebow can't throw, never could, never played TE, and hasn't played in .... what ... 8 years? Explain it to me like I'm 5."

Tim Tebow finding a team and Colin Kaepernick can’t. White privilege NFL style.Tebow can’t throw, never could,… https://t.co/PtD5jdZBYi

— steven pasquale (@StevePasquale) 1620683460.0

Anything else to know?

In 2017, NFL great Joe Montana told the Sporting News that he believed Kaepernick would be a "distraction" to the NFL, and compared Kaepernick's quarterbacking skills to those of Tebow.

Montana, a three-time Super Bowl MVP, said that he would be fine never seeing Kaepernick play in the NFL again.

“Everyone thinks it is the stance [Kaepernick] took; one of the things you don't look for is distractions in the locker room," Montana said at the time. “You can go back to Bill Walsh and as soon as there were guys that weren't fitting in what he was looking for, it didn't matter how good you were. You weren't on the team for very long.

“You have to have people who want the same thing, fighting for the same thing and willing to put in the time," he added.

The outlet reported, "When asked if he thought Kaepernick would be on an NFL roster by the beginning of the season, Montana said, 'I'm not sure, I think [if] there's an injury somewhere he probably gets in.'"

Montana added, “In most cases, you look at Tim Tebow — a great guy and everybody was talking about him. But what it comes down to is 40 percent completion or even in the low 50s, you can't win in the league with that. You won't be in the league very long. It comes down to his play as much as anything."