Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Certain NFL fans — likely the same ones that were upset over Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show — are angry over ESPN’s social media post in which they celebrated Jalen Hurts’ “Black excellence.” With his win in Super Bowl LIX, Hurts became just the fourth Black QB to win a Super Bowl.
In a social media post to commemorate Jalen Hurts’ becoming the fourth Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl — joining Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, and Doug Williams — ESPN wrote that Hurts has joined a class of “Black excellence.” It’s also worth noting that February is Black history month.
Nevertheless, a quick scroll through the reply on Elon Musk’s X, formerly Twitter — which has seen an explosion of hate speech since he took over the platform in late 2023 — shows that many alleged football fans aren’t happy with ESPN’s celebration of Hurts.
ESPN/X
“It’s just excellence. Stop race baiting. When do we celebrate Cooper DeJean for being a white CB to get a pick 6 in the Super Bowl?” one top reply read.
“I can’t believe I grew up watching Sports Center. Long long time ago and far from whatever you do now,” one person replied.
“Why does ESPN have to put race into things?” asked another popular reply.
“Did you call it ‘White excellence’ when Tom Brady won 6 SB?” an angry NFL fan wondered.
“Why ain’t we talking about my hero Cooper DeJean with a pick 6 as a white cornerback. He’s an inspiration to white kids everywhere. Having someone that looks like you achieve that on the biggest stage is inspiring beyond words” added another.
How ESPN feels rn pic.twitter.com/LtpCyGTvW5
— Nono 🦇🔊⋈ (@noahmajor1776) February 10, 2025
In the victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, Hurts completed 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while also carrying the ball 11 times for 72 yards and a touchdown, en route to being named MVP of the big game.