Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has created an online chaos with a racially charged post on X.
The outspoken former Super Bowl champion didn’t mince his words, expressing frustration with what he perceives as unwarranted commentary from “average white guys” on football matters.
Mendenhall’s post reads:
“I’m sick of average white guys commenting on football. Y’all not even good at football. Can we please replace the Pro Bowl with an All-Black vs. All-White bowl so these cats can stop trying to teach me who’s good at football. I’m better than ur GOAT.”
I’m sick of average white guys commenting on football. Y’all not even good at football. Can we please replace the Pro Bowl with an All-Black vs. All-White bowl so these cats can stop trying to teach me who’s good at football. I’m better than ur goat.
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) December 18, 2023
The ambiguity of Mendenhall’s target audience leaves readers questioning who precisely he is addressing.
The post, however, has rapidly gained traction, amassing an astonishing 16.9 million views in just a matter of hours, and the numbers continue to climb.
One astute fan in the online discourse pointed out a possible source of Mendenhall’s frustration.
The fan highlighted that Mendenhall may be harboring resentment due to a critical moment in his career—the fumble he made in Super Bowl XLV against Clay Matthews, a white player from the Green Bay Packers.
It resulted in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss in that championship game.
Lol.
You’re just salty because you got lit up by a blonde white guy and lost the Super Bowl.
We always knew you were a soft candy ass little boy, but didn’t know you were racist too. pic.twitter.com/BHg9w5S4qG
— Clandestine (@WarClandestine) December 18, 2023
As per the latest study at Harvard University, dated July 27, 2023, researchers analyzed a unique dataset covering over 20,000 NFL players from 1960 to 2020, focusing on race, position, and career length.
The study revealed notable demographic shifts in the NFL, evolving from predominantly white to predominantly Black.
Specific position-related patterns were identified: positions such as defensive back, defensive line, linebacker, running back, and wide receiver transitioned from mostly white to predominantly Black.
In contrast, quarterback and kicker/punter positions remained predominantly white throughout the studied period.
Two positions, tight end and offensive line, demonstrated the most balanced demographics over time, starting as predominantly white and evolving into a relatively equal mix of Black and white players.
Rashard Mendenhall played six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals.
Drafted by the Steelers in the first round, he achieved success, winning a Super Bowl ring in XLIII and contributing significantly to the team’s Super Bowl XLV run in 2010.
However, his tenure with the Steelers saw a suspension in 2012 for missing a game due to dissatisfaction with his playing status.
Moving to the Arizona Cardinals in 2013 on a one-year contract worth up to $2.5 million, Mendenhall scored eight rushing touchdowns during the season.
At the age of 26, in March 2014, he announced his retirement from the NFL, expressing a desire to explore the world and pursue writing.
Mendenhall’s career stats include 1,081 carries, 4,236 yards, 95 catches for 795 yards, and a total of 39 touchdowns, comprising 37 rushing touchdowns and 2 receiving touchdowns.
Following his retirement, he became an award-winning writer for HBO’s Ballers.
In 2023, Mendenhall was honored with induction into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame.
