Chip Kelly denies LeSean McCoy's claims that he is racist

Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly addressed former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy's claims that Kelly is racist for the first time Thursday.

Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly addressed former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy's claims that Kelly is racist for the first time Thursday. 

“I've got great respect for LeSean,” Kelly told reporters, according to CSNPhilly.com. “However, in that situation, I think he's wrong. We put a lot of time in looking at the characters and factors that go into selection and retention of players, and color's never been one of them.”

McCoy told ESPN earlier this month that he thinks Kelly tried to get “rid of all the black players.”

Malcolm Jenkins, McCoy's former Eagles teammate, told NJ.com that he didn't agree with McCoy's assessment. 

“If that's what he feels, he's definitely entitled to feel the way he does, but I haven't seen anything in the year I've been here that Chip plays favoritism to anyone because of their race,” Jenkins said.

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McCoy also said in February that he didn't think Kelly values star players. 

"I don't think he likes or respects the stars. I'm being honest," McCoy said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I think he likes the fact that it's 'Chip Kelly and the Eagles.'"

McCoy was traded from the Eagles to the Buffalo Bills in March in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso.

Kelly said he tried to speak with McCoy about his comments on multiple occasions but McCoy did not accept his call. 

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- Dan Gartland