Jets’ Brandon Marshall Says NFL Discipline Is Different For Black Players

We’re just one day away from the start of the 2015 NFL season. New York Jets receiver Brandon Marshall has been very outspoken over the last few years about whatever topic or issue the league is currently dealing with.

This week Marshall added his commentary on what he perceives to be a double standard in the NFL’s discipline for black players.

“The race card,” Marshall said during his first appearance of the 2015 season on “Inside the NFL,” which aired Tuesday night on Showtime. “There are a lot of players out there that believe that— white players specifically, at the quarterback position—are treated differently.”

I personally believe the QB position overall at times are treated differently. But I also think that goes back to which positions “team leaders” are believed to be in. Having said that, I’m not overlooking the fact that the majority of players in that role are white.

Later, host Adam Schein asked Marshall if players believe black players are held to a different standard.

“Absolutely,” Marshall said. “At times, at times, at times, yes.”

“So you’re telling me that there are players out there—and I don’t know if you believe this,” Esiason said with a glance toward Phil Simms, another co-panelist and a former Giants quarterback. “That there are players out there, that if this were Cam Newton, that his suspension would be upheld, and he would be there, that the judge would see Cam Newton differently because of the color of his skin?”

To which Marshall replied: “Well, when you look back at the history of this sport, you can build a case on that, yes.”

This is a difficult argument to unbox. Because while Brandon does have some valid points, I also think that someone like Cam wouldn’t necessarily be viewed the same as a player that has the same history as someone like former NFL player Adam “Pac man” Jones, who had a history of off-field incidents.