Packers' Jordy Nelson says his race helps him succeed

By: Bailey Johnson
Topics: Football

SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 06: Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball after his catch against the San Diego Chargers during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on November 6, 2011 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

(Credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

(CBS) - Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson goes by the nickname White Lightning. With good hands, quick speed, and four touchdowns in the last four games, Nelson has earned the "lightning" part. But in a recent interview, Nelson reveals that part of his secret is that too many opponents get hung up on the fact that Nelson is, well, white.

When asked by the Green Bay Press Gazette if racial bias is a factor in Nelson's on-field success, he replied: "Honestly, I think it is."

Nelson and his teammates believe that, with so few elite white receivers in the league, opposing players are likely to dismiss Nelson's abilities on the field.

"As receivers, we've talked about it." Nelson told the Press Gazette. "I know [cornerbacks coach] Joe Whitt tells me all the time, when all the rookies come in, he gives them the heads up, 'Don't let him fool ya.' That's fine with me."

Packer teammate Greg Jennings said, "He uses that to his advantage."

"It's not because he's the white guy. A lot of it has to do with the fact that guys look at him say, "Okay, yeah, he's the white guy, he can't be that good.' Well, he is that good."

"It's easy for someone to say, 'Oh yeah, he's like one of those other white receivers,'" Jennings, who is black, told the newspaper. "He's not. I'm sorry. He's not. He knows how I feel about it. Maybe I'm a little biased because he is a teammate, but from watching him day one to right now, totally different player."

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers agrees with his receivers.

"When you see Jordy out there, you think, 'Oh well, he's a white wide receiver. He won't be very athletic," Rodgers said on his weekly ESPNMilwaukee radio show. "I am not sure why he keeps sneaking up on guys."

Eventually, opponents are going to have to dismiss the white receiver stereotype - or continue to pay the consequences. Nelson has caught 34 passes for 633 on the season, including seven touchdowns, making him second on the team in receptions and yardage.

Nelson's performance brings to mind another prominent white receiver, the current league leader in receptions, New England Patriots' Wes Welker. In an interview with Miami's sports radio station WQAM, Welker admitted, "I think even my own teammates look at me sometimes and think, 'How the hell is this guy doing this?'"

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by kenandpatty November 30, 2011 2:51 PM EST: People are people and we all often are wrong with our first impression of someone, me included. When I played high school football there was not much scouting done. I was a white boy who ran like the wind. And when we played a team that was mostly black the coach would always tell me and the qb that if they didn't have safety playing deep I was to run a deep route on first down. Worked every time when my awful hands managed to catch the ball. But I never considered the black cornerback racist for underestimating my speed. I just used his expected first impression against him. And after that play I wasn't seen as white or black, just fast. And in the NFL, I doubt any defensive back underestimates Jordy Nelson.; Reply to this comment


by sweetcakesmaria November 24, 2011 1:45 AM EST: He's never heard any black players say that because he is a white wide receiver, he must not be any good. That is simply an assumption on his part. I've followed the NFL for many years and there have been white receivers that were very good players. He should not be selling himself short by believing that he is sneaking up on defensive players, he should be believing that his athletic ability has made him a great player in the NFL.; Reply to this comment

by tek_knowledge November 17, 2011 9:33 PM EST

smh. If this were Michael Vick talking about him being a black quarterback and people underestimating his intellectual ability to read defenses, there would be 50,000 comments in this thread talking about Vick playing the "race card", yet this dude can whine about people underestimating his ability to run a 40 yard dash or jump high because he's white... Guess what? People don't expect you to be a super athletic wide receiver Jordy because of ANTI-BLACK racism...They also don't expect you to be a "thug", "hoodlum", "stupid", or "lazy". Quit whining and making yourself to be a victim.

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by veronafoamer December 12, 2011 11:57 AM EST: tek-what article did you read?didn't see any victim or whining in the article I read.

by Davisrad November 17, 2011 8:45 PM EST

Kind of reminds me of Larry Bird. People didn't expect a white guy to be any good in basketball either. Strange how some of these stereotypes still exist despite all the proof to the contrary.

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by Corch_Irving_Meyers December 15, 2011 8:58 PM EST: Yeah, but the overwhelming number of black players in the league despite blacks being 13% of the U.S. population certainly indicates that, on average, black players are superior to white players. There can be outlier white players, but exceptions aren't rules.

by Ericwvb November 17, 2011 5:55 PM EST

This sounds racist, but it really isn't. When I first got started in my field, I looked VERY young. I was 22 but I looked like I was 16. I would surprise people with my abilities since everyone assumed I was just a kid.

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by involved_indi November 17, 2011 5:59 PM EST: the attitudes of everyone in this story are racist....

by jade84116 November 17, 2011 5:50 PM EST

He's confusing "race" with stardom. It's the stardom that really helps him not his race. Everyone knows that being a white guy only is a strike against us in this society!!!!!

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by stn_sage November 17, 2011 8:03 PM EST: Good point! It's more about his celebrity status as a football player than being white! And, shows that he personally misunderstands his own situation!

by Samlv November 17, 2011 4:05 PM EST

The good news is that he can talk about it with others without a huge fight breaking out in person or in the media. That's HUGE progress. Maybe a post PC/EEO era can dawn.

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by mecanik-2009 November 17, 2011 4:40 PM EST: I agree. We've come a long way but have so far to go. I dream of a day when race becomes a non issue and we see each other as equals but racism unfortunately is something that's buried deep into our psyche and for some unknown reason we look at each other try and find things about ourselves that are better then the next guy and if we're better then them then they need to be eliminated for some reason known only to nature. Maybe it dates way back to natural selection of the dinosaurs then again maybe I'm just rambling.


by mecury69 November 17, 2011 2:48 PM EST: Happened to me all the time too. I caught 5 TD's in one game before they started taking notice of me.

Little white guy...not a threat...focus on the tall black guys.

It's common sense for the most part.

But the good coaches (and players) do not take anyone for granted.; Reply to this comment