In case anyone forgot, Texas is still very much Texas. About 100 miles north of Houston, the school district of Onalaska is overseen by Superintendent Lynn Redden. Redden was disappointed in the outcome of the Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans game on Sunday. After losing to the Titans 20-17, the Texans are now 0-2 for the season. Sure, expectations were high coming into this season for a “healthier” Texans squad and an alleged QB phenomenon Deshaun Watson. Technically, the Texans have gotten off to a slow start before (2015) and still rallied back to win the AFC South. However, technicalities did not get in the way of Redden lifting his mask to let his racism show. In response to a Houston Chronicle story that covered the game, Redden took to Facebook saying, “That may have been the most inept quarterback decision I’ve seen in the NFL. When you need precision decision making you can’t count on a black quarterback,” referring to Watson.
At the time, Redden didn’t realize his comment was public and later deleted it after telling the Chronicle he wishes he never shared his thoughts…publicly.
“I totally regret it,” Redden told the Chronicle.
Knowing that Redden oversees a little over 1300 students and staff members combined, it is unfortunate to think how this will affect his students and staffers now that his prejudices have been made clear.
In a tired attempt to play clean up, Redden insisted he was referring to success by black quarterbacks statistically. “Over the history of the NFL, they have had limited success,” he said.
It’s odd that a person that operates in the realm of education would conclude such a sentiment without weighing in any of the facts such as the clear racial bias toward black QBs throughout the history of the sport of football. This can be traced back to coaches knowingly or unknowingly discouraging young black players to play the QB position because of an ignorant ingrained belief that somehow black kids are incapable of leading. It’s insanity, but people actually believe this to be true. Then again, who needs facts? This is Texas. This is America.
There is hope still for the people of Texas and mankind in general because the person that caught the comment, Matt Erickson, said, “It’s important to make sure horrible words are met with consequences, especially for those in powerful positions with influence.”
That is a big fact.
The other fact is that the black quarterback in question, Watson, isn’t worried at all.
Via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Watson said, “We’re fine. If you’re one of the guys, one of the people, one of the fans hitting the panic button, then that’s on y’all. Don’t hop on the train later on down the season. There’s no point in panicking. I know I’m not going to panic especially with what I came from in my childhood. So, it comes with it. I’ve taken losses before. You take it on the chin.”
Watson ended the game with two touchdowns and completed 22 of 32 passes for 310 yards all while taking 9 hits and four sacks as a result of a jagged O-Line. Sure, Watson scrambled around the field like eggs in a frying pan during the final moments of the game. Maybe he takes a few less hits next week and can collect his thoughts sooner.
The New York Giants are on deck for next week.