Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes finds it interesting that only Black quarterbacks are subject to certain types of criticism.
"Obviously, the Black quarterback has had to battle to be in this position," Mahomes said Friday, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher.
"Every day, we're proving that we should have been playing the whole time," he continued. "We've got guys that can think just as well as they can use their athleticism. It's always weird when you see guys like me, Lamar, Kyler kind of get that on them when other guys don't. But at the same time, we're going out there to prove ourselves every day to show we can be some of the best quarterbacks in the league."
Mahomes' comments come after the Arizona Cardinals included an "independent study" clause in a five-year, $230.5-million contract extension for Kyler Murray. The stipulation that would have required Murray to study four hours of game film each week on his own was removed from the deal this week.
Mahomes, a Super Bowl winner and the 2018 league MVP, recently received criticism for his play by an unspecified veteran defensive play-caller in an article written by The Athletic's Mike Sando.
"We love Mahomes because of his unorthodox throws, not because of his natural pocket presence. And when that disappears, that is when they lose games. I don't think that is a one. I think that is a two. Nothing against the guy. I love the kid. But take his first read away and what does he do? He runs, he scrambles, and he plays streetball."
The Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, who was ranked 10th among QBs (Mahomes No. 2), also received negative feedback in the same article. An anonymous defensive coordinator claimed that if the 2019 MVP needed to pass to win the game, "they ain't winning the game."
Despite Mahomes' observations, the four-time Pro Bowler was reluctant to say that Black passers are judged differently than their white peers. Instead, the Chiefs signal-caller believes he still has plenty to prove in the league.
"At the end of the day nothing matters until you're on that football field playing and that's where you get to prove who you are every single day."
