Green Bay Packers: Jordy Nelson Wrong to Credit Race for His NFL Success

How many times have we heard somebody use the phrase, "a Wes Welker type," for a comparison?

White receivers are generally described as hard-working team players who run great routes and are often times called "surprisingly athletic."

Jordy Nelson is right. Being white initially helped him catch people off guard. BlackSportsOnline.com posted an excerpt from Nelson's interview with the Green Bay Press Gazette, in which Nelson said,

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“Honestly, I think it is (a factor). As receivers, we’ve talked about it. 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.”

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That might have flown even at the beginning of the season. Nelson could have been seen as the beneficiary of Aaron Rodger's pass-happy offense. This notion that defenses were underestimating him because he was white may have flown then.

It doesn't now.

Defenses watch tape. They've seen Nelson rack up 633 yards and seven touchdowns this season and anyone who has seen a Packers game knows it wouldn't matter if Nelson were black, white, green or orange, his numbers would be the same.

Just as Welker proved that being white didn't mean he had athletic shortcomings, so has Nelson. To suggest that being white is giving him an edge is incorrect.

He's a talented receiver, and it's not just his sure routes and work ethic that are allowing him to produce.