Shannon Sharpe Calls Out Russell Wilson's Recent Comments

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback got caught in some controversy for his words.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson / Pittsburgh Steelers

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is under some heat after his interview with ESSENCE Magazine was released. Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe didn't hold back when question Wilson's comments during his latest episode of the Nightcap Podcast.

Wilson was named 'Sexiest Man of the Moment' by ESSENCE for his role in sports, culture and entrepreneurship. During his interview, he mentioned how his success has opened doors for younger black quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.

"For me to be able to go to back-to-back Super Bowls, and win one of them, I think opened up a lot of doors,” Wilson said. "Now you see guys like Patrick Mahomes who won it; it’s really just us so far, but there’s more to come.” The emergence of quarterbacks like Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and C.J. Stroud, to name a few, is indicative of a new era in football and a glimpse into what the sport is trending toward."

Sharpe holds a problem with Wilson's words, calling him out for saying he was the one who opened doors.

"So what role did Doug Williams play? The first African-American quarterback to actually get to and win the Super Bowl and win MVP," Sharpe said to his co-host Chad Johnson. "So what about Shack Harris? What about Joe Gilliam? So what did Marlin Briscoe did? Jack Harry? Steve McNair? They opened no doors? Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick? It was you?"

Johnson did try to bring a different perspective in the conversation, saying Wilson likely meant more about him helping the younger generation than the NFL historically.

"I think moreso for Russell’s sake, he was speaking on behalf of the modern day era," Johnson said. "Younger kids, younger generation. A generation that probably won’t know about the Doug Williams, the Steve McNairs, the other quarterbacks you named that were black that have won. The kids in today’s era might not recognize or now about them. So I think, in a sense, Russell Wilson was speaking on behalf of his era and the era of younger generations kids that are playing right now."

Wilson is a nine-time Pro Bowler and potential Hall of Famer. During his time in the NFL, he's seen the highest or highs and lowest of lows, and has certainly cemented his name in history with the work he's done on the field.

Still, Sharpe wants to make sure he's not taking all of the credit for revolutionizing the NFL - and made sure to make that known to Johnson and his audience.

"I just don’t know what he was hoping to accomplish. By saying what he said," Sharpe said. "He opened doors? Huh? No, it was the guys who came before you who had success who opened doors for you."

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