Washington Redskins: Terrelle Pryor, the N-word and focus
By Donny Starr
Washington Redskins wide receiver Terrelle Pryor says he was called a racial slur by a Kansas City Chiefs fan on Monday Night. It got the response you expected.
The Washington Redskins played the Kansas City Chiefs tough on Monday Night Football in Week 4. However, they ultimately lost and dropped to 2-2 heading into their bye week. But for a week that’s supposed to be about rest, some members of the team appear to be getting little of that.
In a video released by TMZ, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor is seen flipping the middle finger toward the the direction of a fan, and an f-bomb is dropped. Soon after the video was released, Pryor went on the defense explaining what happened.
Via a post on Instagram (via MSN), he said he was shouted at several times and called “the N-word” on multiple occasions. Pryor said that it got to the point that, “an NFL employee had to step to me and stand by me from 2nd quarter on…” He did apologize to his teammates and the organization in the message.
Pryor faced what many African-Americans face, have faced and will probably continue to face as the country works through its racial relapse in relations. The consistent fights for progress, contrasted with racial fears and consistent ignorance of one’s culture, not only give this word power over a person, but prompt a response that devastating in most cases.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
How do we solve the problem? First we must stop splitting hairs on the rules of engagement on who can use the word, how, and why. There’s no way to make this word right for anyone. This is not a new battle cry.
I would have loved to see Pryor simply wave and keep walking. Instead, he allowed that person or persons to get inside his head. He could have heard it, responded in a different way in the moment and still posted his response on social media. Unfortunately, people will see his response, support his response and the systematic power given to the N-word (and other racial slurs) will continue. Am I speaking of a non-violent, non-aggressive approach? Yes.
The late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said the following, as taken from A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. (via Patheos.com):
"“The non-violent resistor not only avoids external, physical violence, but he avoids internal violence of spirit. He not only refuses to shoot his opponent, but he refuses to hate him. And he stands with understanding, goodwill at all times.”"
As a child of the Southern culture, I’ve traveled to many towns and cities that are still separated by railroad tracks. I’ve been called the word by those who hated my job titles, my mission and my vision in various ventures. Does it hurt? It will always hurt.
Next: NFL 2017: Picks against the spread for Week 5
But because I do not serve the word in attention nor physical response, it has no power over me. I have more important things to worry about. Terrelle Pryor has more than enough going on, he should not give this any more energy.