The sport of football requires football. And while we have seen many white players excel in positions such as tight end (Travis Kelce & George Kittle), it has been completely opposite on the cornerback position. There have been very few white cornerbacks in recent years. But the Eagles‘ Cooper DeJean and Broncos‘ Riley Moss are making a dent in that theory.
Playing in his rookie year, the 40th overall pick of Eagles has shone. The 6 feet, 198 pounds athlete has played 16 games (9 starting) this year, recording 6 defended passes, 1 forced fumble, 0.5 sacks, and 51 tackles (38 solo). It’s incredible. Boy o Boy! He turned heads with the first touchdown in Super Bowl history with his pick six against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
PICK-SIX COOPER DEJEAN.
THE FIRST WHITE CORNERBACK WITH A TOUCHDOWN IN THE SUPER BOWL.
HISTORIC PLAY.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 10, 2025
Riley Moss, Broncos CB & 3rd round (83rd overall) pick in the 2023 NFL draft emerged as a force in 2024 season. He didn’t start any game in his rookie year. But in 14 games (started) 2024, he recorded 1 interception, 8 defended passes, 1 fumble, and 86 tackles (65 solo). In the week 5 game against the Raiders, he became the first cornerback in 22 years to make an interception. Cooper DeJean and he are the only duo who have got enough playing to leave an impression.
There is another white CB who hasn’t got much playing time in the NFL till now. The Dolphins’ Ethan Bonner wasn’t drafted in the 2023 NFL draft. But he has played 7 games (none starter) in the league.
The biggest cornerback in the league in the last 3 decades was Jason Sehorn. He played 9 season in the NFL. And he gave a sneak peek into why there were so less white CBs in the game.
White CBs in the NFL – A rare sight
“Rarely will you find a photo of me in the NFL without long sleeves. I just didn’t want it to matter. To me, this whole white cornerback thing was never a race issue. I’ve always seen it as a cultural issue and a confidence issue. And that goes back to how I was raised,” said former NY Jets player for 8 seasons from 1994, who retired in 2003 after 1 season for St. Louis Rams.
Unlike Cooper DeJean, he grew up in a single mother household with no contact with his father. His mother earned around $25k per year. Situation was so bad that he drank milk using food stamps. But the desire to play was strong. At last, his tenacity overcame the hurdles.
In 9 seasons as cornerback, Sehorn played 117 games (76 starting), recording 19 interceptions, 55 defended passes, 5.5 sacks, and 443 tackles (377 solo). But his impact was enormous. It gave the white boys hope that they can also do it. Cooper DeJean and Riley Moss are following in his footsteps. And looking great so far in their initial years.
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