Jerod Mayo Offered an Insightful Answer When Asked About Being First Black Patriots Coach
The New England Patriots introduced Jerod Mayo as the team’s new head coach on Wednesday, which marked the official beginning of the post-Bill Belichick era. Mayo not only has to replace an all-time great, but he also is doing so while being the first Black head coach in Patriots history.
At Mayo’s introductory press conference, a reporter asked Mayo what it meant to be the organization’s first Black head coach. He responded with a very insightful answer.
“I do see color, because I believe if you don’t see color you can’t see racism,” Mayo said. “Whatever it is, black, white, yellow, it really doesn’t matter, but it does matter so we can try to fix the problem.”
“I do see color, because I believe if you don’t see color you can’t see racism.”
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 17, 2024
Jerod Mayo on being named the first black head coach in Patriots history. pic.twitter.com/toTTJ6CrB3
New England has only had 13 head coaches in its 64-year history, including only one since 2000 and four since 1991, and all of whom were white. However, they were not the only team to face this issue.
Of the 32 teams in the NFL, 12 teams have yet to hire a Black non-interim head coach in their history, according to The Associated Press. Five of those teams could join the Patriots and drop off that list if they choose to hire their first full-time Black head coach this offseason.
The NFL has implemented policies to try and increase minority hirings, primarily the Rooney Rule, which was updated as recently as last year to make sure teams consider deserving minority candidates.