Stephen A. Smith has stirred controversy by turning the Washington Commanders’ decision to hire Kliff Kingsbury into a race issue. The Commanders managed to secure Kingsbury’s services at the last minute, snatching him away from the Raiders. Kingsbury is well-regarded in the NFL for his offensive expertise and quarterback development skills. With the second pick in the draft, the Commanders are counting on Kingsbury to groom a promising QB prospect.
However, Stephen A. Smith seems to have a different perspective. He believes that Kingsbury’s hiring is not based on genuine football reasons but rather on his skin color. Smith stated on “First Take,” “We talk about diversity, and we certainly saw black coaches getting hired and all that other stuff. That’s not where I’m going. I’m saying from a historical perspective, we look at a guy like Kliff Kingsbury and you know what we see as black folks? This is the kind of stuff that don’t happen for black folks.”
Smith’s comments have raised eyebrows, as they seem disconnected from the reality of Kingsbury’s qualifications. It begs the question of whether Smith truly understands the game of football. Kingsbury’s track record speaks for itself. He has a proven ability to mold and develop quarterbacks, having worked with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Johnny Manziel, Case Keenum, and Baker Mayfield during their college careers. He even served as an analyst for USC when Caleb Williams was the team’s quarterback.
The Commanders’ decision to hire Kingsbury is not about race; it’s about his expertise in quarterback development. The team is hoping to secure a talented young QB like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. Kingsbury’s history of successfully developing college quarterbacks makes him an attractive candidate for both the Commanders and the Raiders.
While Kingsbury’s tenure as head coach of the Cardinals may not have been stellar, it is important to separate his coaching ability from the issue of race. The Commanders believe that Kingsbury’s knack for developing quarterbacks outweighs any shortcomings he may have had as a head coach. It is worth noting that Johnny Manziel’s career took a downturn after Kingsbury’s departure.
Ultimately, whether Kingsbury succeeds or fails with the Commanders has nothing to do with race. It is a matter of Xs and Os, and the Commanders have faith in Kingsbury’s proven track record. His ability to transform quarterbacks into stars is well-documented. Stephen A. Smith’s focus on race in this situation seems misplaced and unnecessary.
In conclusion, the Commanders’ decision to hire Kliff Kingsbury should be evaluated based on his football expertise, not on his race. Kingsbury’s history of developing quarterbacks at the college level makes him a valuable asset for any team. The Commanders and the Raiders both recognized this and sought to bring him on board. Whether he succeeds or fails with the Commanders will depend on his coaching abilities, not on his skin color.
