Chip, Players Respond To McCoy Comments

Chip Kelly‘s press conference took the inevitable turn towards LeSean McCoy‘s race comments about midway through his pre-practice session with reporters.

Speaking for the first time since McCoy stated that his former head coach was getting rid of “all the good black players” on the team, Kelly said he has respect for McCoy but believes in this case, he’s wrong.

“We put a lot of time in looking at the characters and factors that go into selection and retention of players,” he said, “and color has never been one of them.”

McCoy is not the first former Eagles employee to make these kind of suggestions. Earlier in the offseason, Tra Thomas said that there are players who “feel like there is a hint of racism” behind some of Kelly’s decisions.

“That doesn’t hurt me.  I’m not governed by the fear of what other people say.  Events don’t elicit feelings.  I think beliefs elicit feelings,” said Kelly. “I understand what my beliefs are and I know how I am.

“You start chasing perception and you got a long life ahead of you, son.  That’s what it’s all about.  If you’re worried about someone else’s perception of what is going on with you, then…You can control one thing.  You can control yourself.  I know how we run this organization, and it’s not run that way.”

But don’t you have to worry about the perception in the locker room?

“Talk to the players.  That’s a great question to talk to the players about,” he responded.

DeMarco Murray was one player the media went to for reaction. Told of McCoy’s comments about Kelly parting with all the good black players, Murray said: “I’m looking around…There are a lot of us out here. I’m not sure about that.”

Jason Kelce said the driving force behind McCoy’s comments is clear.

“I don’t think you even have to think about why. I think you understand that it is an emotional reaction to something that was not a personal decision whatsoever. This is a business and they thought that they were getting a great deal for less money and saving some cap room.

“He really has made emotional comments that unfortunately attack some other people personally. I respect LeSean McCoy, I played with him for a number of years and I liked him when he was on this team, but the fact of the matter is those comments don’t warrant a response — I don’t feel that Chip should even have to respond to something like that — because in all honesty we have plenty of guys out here who obviously know that’s completely off base.”