“A Black man is the highest-paid player,” Shannon Sharpe brings the ‘race’ card into the mix while hailing Jalen Hurts’ $255 million contract extension

Jalen Hurts became the highest paid player in the history of the NFL after signing contract extension with the Eagles.

“A Black man is the highest-paid player,” Shannon Sharpe brings the ‘race’ card into the mix while hailing Jalen Hurts’ $255 million contract extension

Shannon Sharpe and Jalen Hurts (Image via YouTube and Men's Health)

Jalen Hurts scripted history on April 17, 2023, when he became the highest-paid player ever in the NFL. After an exceptional season that ended with playing the Super Bowl, the Eagles were quick to sign a five-year $255 million with $179.3 million fully guaranteed.

Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe was filled with pride that a Black quarterback was at the top of the list with the highest average annual pay at $51 million.“I love it. It’s good to see a Black [quarterback] if only for a week or month. A Black man is the highest-paid player in the NFL,” Shannon said on Undisputed.

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Shannon Sharpe recalled the history of Black players in the NFL and how far they have come along – from starting a professional football game, winning the Super Bowl, being a Super Bowl MVP, and league MVP. He added that Black quarterbacks were brushed aside by team owners as they didn’t want them to be the face of their organization. Now, the same qualities for which a Black signal-caller was ridiculed are the ones that teams look for in their franchise QB.

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“It’s nothing short of a miracle,” Sharpe said of Hurts’ contract. “Given the opportunity, you see what they can do…Kudos to you Jalen Hurts. Kudos to you for having a all female team. I’m happy for Jalen Hurts and I’m happy for the young Black men that play this position.”

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Jalen Hurts signs a first-ever no-trade clause in Eagles history

Jalen Hurts (Image via ESPN)
Jalen Hurts (Image via ESPN)

Jalen Hurts signed a monster contract with the Eagles. The young gunslinger will receive $255 million over five years, of which $179.3 million is fully guaranteed. Hurts received $110 million fully guaranteed at signing and is set to receive $126.5 million fully guaranteed by March 2024.

The 24-year-old also signed the first no-trade clause in Eagles franchise history. This goes to show just how much the organization trusts Jalen Hurts as their quarterback and in his ability to win the Super Bowl. This is in stark contrast to one of the other 31 teams in the league currently entangled in a big drama.

Hurts will receive a base salary of $42 million in 2023, along with a workout bonus of $100,000. He will be a free agent in 2029 and the Eagles can’t trade him midway through his contract because of the no-trade clause.

Let’s hope for Philly’s sake that Hurts maintains his 2022 momentum throughout his time in Philly or else this historic contract might go down as one of the biggest mistakes ever made in the league!

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