Was Cushman's dad racist? Or just greedy?

[deleted]

Neither, entirely.

He wanted his son to play for Denver.

Mr. Cushman made it clear that Denver was where his son "ought to be."

Jerry ignored that, didn't get a signature and offered a deal with San Diego.

Mr. Cushman WANTED his son to be a Bronco, and Sugar made that happen.

Cushman may be a little racist, and may have used that to "rub it in," but Sugar gave him what he wanted and asked for specifically.

AND he got it signed.

Jerry calls Bob Sugar "a child," but HE was the child in this situation.

His own idealism got the better of him.

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Aagh; you're a HEDGE!

It's a bit of both, IMO. You would think that someone who follows football would know the names of the pro players and not dismiss him as some "black fella". Also, there's a bit of confederate mentality still left in Texas culture; I know this from my own experiences there. Being brown skinned or darker, one treads lightly around white folk.......

[deleted]

A little from column A and a little from column B?

There have been many comments on the "black fella" line.

Was Mr. Cushman racist? We will never know due to his character not being explored in detail. He could have been, or he could have gone down to the local tavern after meeting with Jerry and joked around over bloody beers with Earl Campbell.

Saying something racially insensitive does not automatically make someone a racist. There is a difference.

Remember, the Rod Tidwell character was supposed to be viewed as disrespected and an afterthought to many people and teams. I thought that was more of the point behind Cushman's comment. Not knowing or even caring what Rod's name was, so therefore not acknowledging it. Same as if he had said "the FAT guy" if he Jerry was representing a big lineman.

Cushman thought that no one was as important or deserving of attention than his son, and he wasn't afraid to be blunt about it. Jerry lost and Cushman decided to let him know with a little bit of a sting.

I think it was Sugar that manipulated the Dad, stating that Jerry was a liability and not represented by a major agency. Jerry would be desperate and needed the contract and would not do what was in his son's best interest. Sugar was represented by a large firm that could get his son with Denver and get the cash needed. Jerry was a risk.

I think it ultimately spooked the dad and he made up some story about Jerry spending time with Rod and the 'black fella' just to get Jerry to go away without having to admit his own insecurity.

This happens quite often in football to be honest... Even between seasoned players/coaches. Look at the Steve Hutchinson (Seattle/Vikings likely HOF Guard) and Mike Holmgren (Seattle HC) debacle. Seattle said they would for sure get a deal done after Shaun Alexander (RB) and not to worry, but Steve's agent manipulated Hutchinson into panicking and signing with the Vikings.

Later, Steve was in tears when meeting with Mike after Mike and the FO were like, "DUDE, what were you thinking!? We totally wanted you back! Why did you do this!? We told you we'd get it done!" and Steve was totally screwed because he already signed the dotted line.


Just another case of what happened here. Jerry was a competent agent and would've gotten Cush's kid what he wanted... but due to panic, politics, and manipulation (agents are EXCELLENT at this)... he panicked and ended up destroying a relationship.

I don't think "black fella" is considered racsist. If he would have said the "n" word or "colored fella" then I could possibly see that as painting him as a racsist.