Houston Texans: Racist rant about Deshaun Watson is not surprising

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 16: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson’s aptitude was accentuated by a racist comment from a school official. What was said? Here’s why it’s not surprising.

The HoustonTexanshave fell to 0-2 on the season with both of their games against the New England Patriots and the Tennessee Titans being winnable situations. But because of miscues, this team has continued to be on the short end of the stick.

There’s no question that this team is loaded with talent to compete with the best in the NFL but it’s all about coaching it to a point to where each of these players meets their full potential. That’s the job ofBill O’Brienand quite honestly, he hasn’t fulfilled that promise thus far. I hope he gets there because he’s had an incredible ascent through his coaching career all the way to him being the head coach of the HoustonTexans.

But the time management, not enough gutsy play-calling and just simply not trusting his players in critical situations is of concern to me and it has many — including myself — wondering if the four-year contract extension that was given to O’Brien this past off season was warranted.

But enough about O’Brien, let’s talk about those waning seconds of the game against the Titans last week. The ball was inDeshaun Watson‘s hands and we were all hoping that he was going to make a big strike to get this team in position to win the game. But instead, we saw a tentative-looking Watson, trying to figure what to do with the football as precious ticks gleaned off the clock.

He ended up making a desperation throw toDeAndre Hopkins— to which he caught the pass — but it was too little to late which has been the case for the HoustonTexanstwo games this season. The team was down 20-17 and there seemed to be little regard to try to just get close enough forKa’imi Fairbairnto attempt a field goal to tie the game for an eventual overtime period.

I have my concerns about Watson but I can just chalk it up to him just not getting enough reps in the preseason and just being a bit rusty. He seems to also be terrified of getting hurt again as I see none of that killer, no-holds-barred mentality that I saw in those seven games last season when he was shocking the NFL world.

But I’ve never questioned his aptitude about the game of football but obviously a school official feels that because of the color of his skin, he’s not qualified to be the quarterback of the HoustonTexans.

Lynn Redden, superintendent of the Onalaska Independent School District located about 70 miles north of Houston, publicly posted on his personal Facebook account the reasoning as to why the HoustonTexanscouldn’t get the job done in the final minute of the game.

Here’s what Redden said:

"“That may have been the most inept quarterback decision I’ve seen in the NFL,” Redden said. “When you need precision decision making you can’t count on a black quarterback.”"

Redden later deleted the comment, expressed his regrets of posting the racist rantand apologized for it.

But that’s simply not enough — as a public official, who happens to be a white man, how could he have been so careless to post something so nonchalantly? He should pay the price for something like this and should lose his job as a result of it.

And apparently I’m not the only one that feels that way — the Onalaska school boardwill call a special session this Saturday to decide the fate of Redden to which I’m sure they’ll vote to terminate his contract with the district.

You know what?I’m so sick of closed-minded people thinking that because of the color of one’s skin, they’re inferior or they just can’t measure up to the competition.

I’m positive that Redden’s opinion is not what the majority of HoustonTexansfans’ feel but why do some people of Redden’s generation — obviously the baby-boomers — have those sentiments about African-Americans?

I’ve asked this question — ad nauseam — and nobody has been able to give an answer with substance. If you have one, you can certainly let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you because I’m trying to get a handle on this madness. How could there be people out there who feel this way?

I cannot imagine the level of pressure that Watson has of not only being a young quarterback trying to carve his niche in this league but being the first African-American everyday starter for the HoustonTexans. He’s handling things quite well and because he’s such a trailblazer, there’s no question that many will hold him to higher standard like Redden.

Although I can’t imagine, I’ve walked in his shoes being an African-American man myself.

I know what it’s likewhen I’m pulled over for a routine traffic stop where I have to be extra careful that both of my hands are precisely on the wheel with my driver’s license and registration ready to show. Although there may have been times where I’ve had a ton of repugnance spewed at me, I graciously fulfill the law enforcement official’s questions so that I go on with my busy day.

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I know what’s likewhen I’m line at an ATM machine as I cautiously stand just an extra few feet back behind the blue-haired lady who is clutching her purse strings a bit tighter thinking that I’m going to cause harm.

I know what’s likewhen I’m walking through a crowded parking lot of cars and I hear the incessant clicking of locks thinking I’m going to cause harm.

Well let me tell you — I don’t have time for causing harm because I’m busy just like Watson trying my earnest to make a mark in this world. It’s a hell of grind but I appreciate it each and every day when the sun goes down.

Everybody has a right to an opinion but it’s important the opinion one holds is an educated one and Redden’s is simply not that.

His line of thinking is backwards and it’s certainly the reason why progress continues to be stymied with race relations as a whole.

Now mind you, there are lot of good, honest and decent people out there that don’t share the sentiments that have been spewed by this official but it’s all about having the conversation as to why are things this way and what can be done to improve.

Keep on trucking Deshaun, you still have my unequivocal support to go out there and do great things for this team.

And damn I’m sure I’m not the only one, no matter what color or creed.

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