Jerod Mayo talks race, takes post as first Black Patriots head coach
Newsy
The New England Patriots' latest head coach didn't shy away from disagreeing with the team's owner, Robert Kraft, as they spoke to the press.
The New England Patriots' latest head coach Jerod Mayo did not shy away from making his disagreements with the team's owner Robert Kraft known as they both spoke to the press to publicly introduce their new partnership.
It was an important moment, addressing race as Mayo takes the helm of the team making history as its first Black head coach.
Kraft, 82, was asked about the significance of Mayo's new rank as head coach, and said, "Let me say this to you, I'm really colorblind in terms of what I feel like on Sunday when we lose."
He told reporters, "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 — signaling his intention to look at his latest role on the team, and his racial identity connected to it, in the context of the times — and said, "I do see color because I believe if you don't see color you can't see racism."
