“Angry Black man”: Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson’s curious defense of Draymond Green’s racial label raises eyebrows

Draymond Green picked up another technical foul last night, something that’s become almost routine by now. This particular incident occurred after he delivered an elbow to Naz Reid’s face, bringing him just two technicals away from a suspension. That’s the last thing the Golden State Warriors need right now, especially with Steph Curry’s return from a hamstring injury still up in the air.Draymond Green has consistently walked a fine line between being a fierce competitor and being viewed as a dirty player. His track record of heated moments on the court speaks for itself. After the game, however, Green expressed frustration with what he saw as a deliberate effort to label him as an “angry Black man.” He pushed back against that portrayal by highlighting his professional success, his supportive family, and his excellence in his role as a player.On the latest episode of Nightcap, Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson offered their take on the situation, and their insights carried significant weight.“We can only base it off his actions on the court, that’s pretty much it,” Johnson said. “I love Draymond, good friend of mine. He’s not an angry black man. He can be passionate … he kinda hurts some people sometimes, elbows, knees and kicks or whatnot, but he’s an enforcer. There’s a difference in being angry and passionate about something.”Sharpe went along, saying, “I don’t look at him as [an angry black man]. Sometimes do I think his play goes over the line? Yes. But I don’t think he’s angry.”Sharpe pointed out that while Draymond’s actions on the court can sometimes go too far, it’s not because he’s angry it’s just his competitive nature. He stressed that calling him “angry” ignores the passion and intensity he brings to the game.Everything Green does on the court has a purpose. He’s an unconventional star because he doesn’t rack up points or shoot particularly well, but he’s been a key figure in the Warriors' success due to everything else he contributes. One aspect of his role is serving as the “enforcer,” as Johnson described it.Green absorbs the criticism so Steph Curry doesn’t have to. He ensures that the Warriors aren't pushed around by anyone. Occasionally, he crosses the line, but that’s partly because he knows how much he can get away with. There's a running joke in the league that the most dangerous player is Draymond after his first technical, as referees are often hesitant to eject him with another, allowing him to push the boundaries.Reports indicate that a fan was removed from the game for directing racial slurs at Draymond Green, which could have contributed to his emotional outburst in the locker room afterward. Despite his evident frustration, Draymond maintained his usual composure expressing himself clearly and passionately, as he always does.Shannon Sharpe succinctly captured the disparity in perception when he stated, “We’re angry, they’re passionate,” pointing out how similar actions by Black athletes are often labeled as anger, while white athletes displaying the same behaviors are seen as passionate.Also Read: Jerry Jones risks turning the Dallas Cowboys into the NFL's “island of misfits” with controversial trade dividing analysts and fansThis distinction in how emotions are interpreted speaks to a larger issue of racial bias in sports coverage and how athletes are portrayed in the media. While Draymond's outbursts might be framed as part of his fiery persona, the same actions in a white athlete are often downplayed or celebrated as competitiveness. This unequal treatment adds another layer to the pressure athletes like Draymond face, not only on the court but off it as well.