Shortly after the Raiders faced the Seahawks in Seattle gasps and pearl clutching swept the NFL news landscape with reports of Geno Smith giving a fan the double birds.
It was Smith’s first return to Seattle since being traded this offseason to the Raiders. The response from Seattle fans was mostly positive. But one fan near the tunnel where the Raiders entered and exited had a pretty terrible — and borderline racist — sign he was holding the elicited the two finger salute from Geno.
Carroll was asked about Geno’s gesture today and his response was perfect.
“Did you see what the sign said?” Carroll responded according to team columnist, Paul Gutierrez.
That’s a legit question to ask. Did YOU see what the sign said?
The sign said “Bigger bust – Geno or Jamarcus Russell?”
Honestly the only comparison anyone in their right mind could make between Geno Smith and Jamarcus Russell is that they were both black quarterbacks.
Russell was taken first overall. Smith was taken 39th. Russell famously flamed out of the league in three seasons because he didn’t want to study his playbook. He just wanted to cash checks. it was so bad the Raiders cut him with cause so they wouldn’t have to pay him the remainder of his salary. He basically stole from the league.
Smith is entering his 12th NFL season, having been a recent two-time Pro Bowl starter over three seasons in Seattle. And he was traded for a third round pick at the age of 34. That’s a highly successful career.
That sign was disgusting and neither Geno Smith nor Pete Carroll should be apologizing for Smith’s reaction to it. Smith is a prideful man. And most importantly he’s a human being. He is entitled to his natural and appropriate reaction to a shameful sign by a shameless fan who deserved worse than a harmless gesture for his offensive sign.