Darius Leonard Analysis

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by FatDT

I heard people say Josh Rosen (white QB from UCLA) was well-spoken. Plenty of white OL prospects too.

However I'd say the bar is lower for white people to call black people, and especially young black males, well-spoken. Stemming from a general place of surprise that a black person would be easily understood and able to communicate using standard white bread English.

To me it is relatively harmless compared to overt racism, or even passive racism, but points out an presumption that many people hold without even thinking of it.

And I'd also agree there is an age/generation aspect to it at times as well.

God help us if we're to the point where we have to villainize people for saying something nice about someone else. Here's an article referring to Andrew Luck as "well-spoken":

https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...-ads/91486374/

And here's an internet post calling Matt Hasselback "well spoken":

https://www.reddit.com/r/Colts/comme...ame_interview/

They are easy to find - just type your favorite player's name into Google with the term "well spoken" and you'll find that nearly everyone has been called this at some point in their career. People are sometimes also called "articulate" or "eloquent", they mean pretty much the same thing and they are all compliments.

Maybe its more noticeable with football players because of the stereotype of the "big dumb jock" - I don't know - or maybe it's used with young players because fans don't know much about them yet and they are thirsty for info - any info - to justify their fanship. But this is a silly discussion.