Our recent dusting off of the whole “White Nation” Facebook controversy involving two former USC players in the current NFL draft class prompted coverage of the issue by various major outlets.
So we’re compelled to present the other side of the story with some facts we have picked up since posting the initial story.
For starters, it appears clear to us that the whole thing was a joke. Though it wasn’t the kind of joke that will result in Stu Chermak or Jay Crespi suggesting a possible pilot with NBC, it was a joke.
As we now understand it, the “White Nation” label was given to the white special teams players by assistant USC coach Todd McNair, who is black.
Matthews’ former roommate at USC and one of his best friends is Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers, who is black.
Matthews’ long-time girlfriend is black.
Finally, and as several readers have pointed out, Matthews’ wouldn’t have survived for two years in a locker room including multiple black players if Matthews were a closet racist.
So while the joke was in our view stupid and unfunny, it wasn’t the product of a racist mindset. And it shouldn’t affect Matthews’ draft stock.
Unless a team is trying to replace the in-house comedian who signed elsewhere during free agency.