Cam Newton questions lack of minority NFL analysts in primetime: ‘What’s the metric here?’

Cam Newton is calling out the commonality between Troy Aikman, Tom Brady, Cris Collinsworth, Kirk Herbstreit, Tony Romo, and J.J. Watt.

After Dan Le Batard highlighted the perpetual cycle of white guys getting most NFL broadcasting jobs, especially in primetime, Newton continued the conversation on his 4th & 1 show, wondering what metric networks use to hire analysts.



“Is it the position you played? Is it your resume as a player?” Newton asked. “Or is it just the likability? Because if we’re talking about how did Kirk Herbstreit get that deal? We know how Tom Brady got his deal. How does Tony Romo get his deal? We know how Troy Aikman got his deal. How does Cris Collinsworth get his deal? These are all mainstream color commentators that we see. We’re seeing these faces, as if to say Charles Davis is not capable…RGIII is not capable. Jonathan Vilma, is he capable? Jason McCourty, is he capable?”

Newton went on to note Louis Riddick briefly had a primetime analyst role on Monday Night Football until ESPN tapped him on the shoulder to say Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were taking over. Newton also cited Nate Burleson and Michael Strahan as NFL players turned media personalities who are more than qualified to be a lead analyst on a primetime game.

“Do you not think Ryan Clark is capable? We’ve seen it,” Newton continued. “Brandon Marshall, he’s a sharp guy. You got a guy like Emmanuel Acho, who verbally, his vernacular can hold its own with whoever. Do you always have to be a quarterback? Well, J.J. Watt’s not a quarterback. Luke Kuechly is not a quarterback. So what’s the metric here?”

This isn’t the first time Newton broached the topic. Last year, Newton explained the responsibility he feels to work hard in media to ensure more Black quarterbacks get on-air opportunities.

“We’re talking about a sport that’s dominated by upwards of 75% minorities,” Newton emphasized. “But the people who are covering the sport to the world, giving color commentary, are Caucasians…There are more minority former players that are capable of holding their job similar to the guys who continue to get these jobs.”

It’s easy to defend the credentials of every lead NFL analyst on TV right now. But it’s also impossible to argue Newton’s point that networks have historically seemed hesitant to put Black commentators in lead primetime roles. There are Black men defying that reluctance from networks by building their own shows, brands, and media platforms, but Newton notes, “We are forced to control our own narrative because we can’t tell our narrative to the network that does not give us mainstream airtime.”

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