Rashard Mendenhall, a former Super Bowl-winning running back, recently voiced his frustrations with NFL commentary on social media, specifically targeting what he termed “average white guys.” While Mendenhall did not specify individuals, his comments followed his observations on critiques of the Pittsburgh Steelers and their head coach, Mike Tomlin.
In a bold statement, Mendenhall expressed his annoyance with the current state of football analysis, suggesting a radical change to the Pro Bowl format. He proposed an “All-Black vs. All-White bowl” to underscore his point about the expertise of commentators. He went as far as to challenge the credibility of these analysts in understanding football, implying that his own experience and skill in the game surpassed theirs.
Responding humorously to Mendenhall’s idea, J.J. Watt, the former star of the Houston Texans, acknowledged the hypothetical challenges of such a match-up, especially in positions like cornerback. He jokingly conceded that no one in his proposed team could match up against players like Tyreek Hill.
In another post, Mendenhall discussed Steelers coach Tomlin and the criticism surrounding his playoff record. He pointed out the need to consider the team’s quarterbacks over the years, particularly highlighting Kenny Pickett’s limited experience. Mendenhall argued that it was unfair to discuss Tomlin’s record without acknowledging the quarterbacks who played during those playoff losses.
Mendenhall, renowned for his time at Illinois before entering the professional arena, played for the Steelers between 2008 and 2012, and then with the Arizona Cardinals in his final season. He was part of the Steelers’ team that clinched victory in Super Bowl XLIII, marking Tomlin’s first Super Bowl championship. His recent comments reflect a growing trend of former players voicing their opinions on the state of football analysis and the complexities of evaluating team performances.