New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo addressed the media in his introductory press conference on Wednesday. Among the many sound bytes from the presser was a statement Mayo made on the significance of his hire.
Mayo is the first Black head coach in Patriots franchise history. That’s a pretty massive moment not just for him, the Patriots, or the NFL but for representation’s sake as well. It seems clear after Mayo’s press conference that the former Pro Bowl linebacker is well aware of it.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport quoted Mayo, who said of the significance, “I do see color. If you don’t see color, you can’t see racism.”
#Patriots coach Jerod Mayo, on being New England's first black head coach and the significance: "I do see color. If you don't see color, you can't see racism."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 17, 2024
Mayo isn’t incorrect with this statement. While trolls and otherwise might get annoyed by this, there isn’t much avoidance here. Sometimes, you’ll see this topic be stepped around. Mayo, however, decided to tackle it head-on and get real. Racism, prejudice, and discrimination can come in many forms. Sometimes it’s right on the surface and other times it’s underlying through other factors.
So, don’t expect Mayo to avoid it if it becomes a topic. The New England area has had a history of insidious racist incidents, which may make Mayo’s comments even more significant. It’s not like he’s a stranger to the area; he joined the Patriots after they drafted him in 2008, spent eight seasons with the team, and then has been on the coaching staff since 2019. His awareness is better than most. In this case, for many, it might be wise to listen and not involve themselves if they find themselves disagreeing.
