Over the weekend announcer Tim Ryan made an outwardly racist comment in regards to a player for the Baltimore Ravens. According to Forbes Ryan was commenting on player Lamar Jackson’s dark complexion and the color of the ball.

“He was really good at that fake, Lamar Jackson, but when you consider his dark skin color with a dark football with a dark uniform, you could not see that thing,” said Ryan according to Forbes, “I mean you literally could not see when he was in and out of the mesh point and if you’re half a step slow on him in terms of your vision forget about it, he’s out of the gate.” 

To me, this sounds like something that would not be said in the 21st century, but unfortunately racism is something that is still prevalent in today’s society. Obviously this comment is blatantly racist and not only cruel for comparing a man’s skin color to a football, but Ryan also makes it as an excuse for how well Jackson plays. 

What is so much more off putting to me than the fact that Ryan said this, which is horrible, don’t get me wrong, but the fact that Lamar Jackson has worked just as hard as any other man in the NFL and he is being discredited for the color of his skin. The fact that Ryan is justifying the 49ers weak defense with the color of another player’s skin is downright awful. 

This is just another example of a double standard, too. You don’t hear announcers saying its too hard to see a white player because it’s snowing and he’s wearing a white jersey. 

Personally, I think that Ryan should have been fired. I think that a suspension is too easy. I think the NFL can do better. Especially in the public eye, they should set the precedent for what is right and what is wrong. Hopefully they can do better in the future.