Mayo, like everyone else, sees color.
Earlier this week, Jerod Mayo became the first Black head coach in New England Patriots’ history and at 37, the youngest head coach in the NFL.
The historical moment, contextualized in Boston’s spotty race relations history, was celebrated. Some were surprised by the hire, as they thought that former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was the favorite for the job, but everyone was generally happy for Mayo and the team.
Then came the press conference.
After remarks by both Patriots owner Bob Kraft and Mayo, Andscape columnist Bill Rhoden asked Kraft about the significance of Mayo’s hiring.
“Let me say this to you, I’m really colorblind in terms of what I feel like on Sunday when we lose,” replied Kraft to Rhoden. “Winning and the Patriots is my passion. So, I want to get the best people I can get.
“I chose the best head coach for this organization. He happens to be a man of color, but I chose him because I believe he’s the best to do the job.”
Mayo responded as well, and that’s when things got interesting.
“I do see color because I believe if you don’t see color you can’t see racism,” Mayo said. “Whatever happens- Black, white, disabled person- I want you to be able to go up to those people and really understand those people. So it goes back to whatever it is- Black, white, yellow- it really doesn’t matter. But it does matter so we try to fix the problem that we all know we have.”
The response wasn’t a slight at Kraft, but rather a clarification without disrespect.
More importantly, Mayo’s comments acted as a refreshing reminder for a community that often sprints from discussions of race, particularly as it relates to head coaching.
NFL teams such as the Commanders, Raiders, Broncos, Bears have hired Black Presidents in the past few years, while the Dolphins, Lions, Browns, Falcons, Vikings, Titans and Bears have hired Black GMs.
But the hiring of Black head coaches has lagged dramatically.
After the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons, only one full-time head coach who identified as Black was hired per season. At the start of the 2023, season, there were only three full-time head coaches who identified as Black- Mike Tomlin (Steelers), Todd Bowles (Bucs) and DeMeco Ryans (Texans).
All three made the playoffs and Bowles and Ryans won their divisions and advanced to this weekend’s playoff games.
At the start of the postseason, eight head coaching vacancies emerged (the Panthers, Chargers, Falcons, Commanders, Titans, Raiders, Seahawks and Patriots), putting team hiring practices back under the microscope.
New England made the first move and it was historic.
On Friday, the Raiders (finally) named interim head coach Antonio Pierce its new head coach. This gives the NFL five head coaches who identify as Black, and with six vacancies remaining, that number could increase.
As of now, 12 NFL teams- Falcons, Ravens, Bills, Panthers, Cowboys, Jaguars, Rams, Saints, Giants, Seahawks, Titans and Commanders- have still never hired a Black full-time head coach.
That’s why Mayo’s comments were so important for they centered the conversation back onto a subject that has long persisted.
Saying you don’t see color is a lie for EVERYONE, as much as some deny it, sees color.
But can you then respect the person and their beliefs? Can you understand their position, situation and feelings? Can you appreciate their background, thought process and differences?
So seeing color isn’t the issue. It’s what you do afterward that matters.
