Former Eagles star running back LeSean McCoy alleges that head coach Chip Kelly created an uncomfortable environment for Black players, hindering their success in Philadelphia.
Chip Kelly's tenure as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles was marred by controversy, with many speculating about the reasons for his abrupt departure. Now, former Eagles star running back LeSean McCoy has shed light on the situation, revealing a disturbing pattern of racial bias that may have contributed to Kelly's disappointing NFL record.
In a podcast episode titled "The Truth About Chip Kelly," McCoy and his co-host, and former teammate, DeSean Jackson, shared their experiences with Kelly, painting a picture of a coach who made Black players feel uncomfortable and isolated.
McCoy claimed that Kelly had a habit of sending assistant coaches to relay instructions to Black players, rather than communicating directly. "I've never met a coach that was uncomfortable with dealing with Black players," McCoy said. "I'm thinking, 'These aren't even your words.'"
One specific incident involved former running backs coach Duce Staley, who would often pass on Kelly's messages to McCoy. "He would never say it," McCoy said of Kelly. "He would always have someone else tell us what to do."
McCoy also alleged that Kelly had a problem with Black players' hairstyles. He recalled an instance when a Black player was told to cut his hair to "look more presentable."
The racial divide extended beyond McCoy's personal experiences. He also referenced an incident involving receiver Riley Cooper, who was caught on video using a racial slur at a concert. McCoy said that Kelly kept Black players away from Cooper after the incident, silencing their voices and preventing them from addressing the issue.
"I had a good relationship with Coop," McCoy said. "[I thought], 'Ain't no way he's racist...'" But Kelly made it impossible for us to talk to him."
McCoy's allegations extend beyond racial bias to questionable personnel decisions. He criticized Kelly for releasing Jackson after his best season, trading McCoy for Kiko Alonso, an Oregon alum, and letting Jeremy Maclin walk after he led the team in catches and yards in 2014.
These allegations paint a troubling picture of Kelly's time in Philadelphia. They suggest that his inability to relate to Black players and his questionable personnel decisions may have contributed to his failures on the field.
Fox News reached out to Ohio State, where Kelly currently coaches, for a comment, but has not received a response. As these allegations continue to surface, it remains to be seen what impact they will have on Kelly's coaching career.
