Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper said Thursday that the NFL's rule to penalize the use of racial slurs on the field is a "good rule."
Riley Cooper, newly signed by the Philadelphia Eagles through the 2018 season thanks to a five-year extension with the team signed on Thursday, says he agrees with the NFL's pursuit of a rule that would penalize players 15 yards for using racial slurs on the field.
"It's a good rule," Cooper said bluntly when asked Thursday if he agrees with the league's proposed 15-yard penalty that could take effect as early as this season.
Cooper of course stood at the center of the league and this nation's discourse on race relations when he was captured on video tape using a racial slur at a Kenny Chesney concert over the summer at Lincoln Financial Field.
"I will fight every n—– here," Cooper was seen shouting at an African American security guard with a group of teammates by his side prior to appearing on stage at the concert.
Thursday, Cooper reiterated how important it was for him to remain in Philadelphia for the long-term rather than test the free-agent waters and perhaps net an even larger contract.
"They showed a lot of loyalty [last summer]" Cooper told reporters at the team's Novacare Complex headquarters. "Everything in Philadelphia I like. From the coaches, the players, the fans, the city..
"I didn't test free-agency because I wanted to be here. I wanted to be with Chip Kelly. I wanted to be with Nick Foles and my teammates. We have a great culture here, why would anyone leave that?"
In the immediate aftermath of the incident last summer Cooper stood before his teammates and apologized while taking responsibility for his actions. After being dismissed for three days by the team to attend race relations counseling, the University of Florida product returned to the team and flourished with career highs in receptions (48), yards (847) and touchdowns (8) while catching passes from Foles and in his first season in Kelly's high octane scheme.
"I think Riley was accepted by everyone right away," center Jason Kelce, who signed a seven-year extension with the Eagles of his own Thursday, said. "He stepped forward, admitted he was wrong and we haven't really talked about it since and don't need to talk about it anymore. At this point, it's a non factor."
The league's proposed rule will be voted on at the owner meetings in March.
