Broncos CB Patrick Surtain Defends Teammate Riley Moss Over Racial Profiling Claims
Denver Broncos cornerback and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II defended fellow starting cornerback Riley Moss amid ongoing discussions about race. Moss, who is white, became the NFL's first white starting cornerback in 22 years when he started the 2024 season opener for the Broncos.
Since then, Moss has emerged as one of the NFL's most promising cornerbacks, often targeted with numerous passes—not due to poor performance but because Surtain, the other starting cornerback, is rarely challenged. At one point in 2024, the completion odds against Surtain were so low that it was statistically better for quarterbacks to throw the ball away than even attempt a pass toward him.
Surtain has also faced many defensive pass interference calls. He joked that some of these penalties against Moss might stem from racial bias.
“I ain’t gonna lie, I think they racial profiling my dog,” Surtain said on the Closed on Sundays With Pat and Terrion podcast with Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold. “They calling all these flags on my boy … I ain’t gonna lie, these flags is egregious. He had a rep against CeeDee Lamb where he played the ball, where he was in perfect position, and he still got a flag.”
Key Points
- Riley Moss is the first white starting NFL cornerback in 22 years (2024 season opener).
- Moss has become one of the top young cornerbacks despite heavy targeting by opposing offenses.
- Patrick Surtain II is a dominant defender, leading to fewer passes against him.
- Surtain humorously suggested racial profiling may explain the penalties called against Moss.
Author's Summary
Patrick Surtain II defends teammate Riley Moss amid racial profiling claims, highlighting Moss's rise as a targeted young cornerback and questioning questionable penalties against him.