It's true — when it comes to cornerbacks in the NFL, there are very few and far between that are white.
The talking point has been a joke in the NFL sphere for a number of years now, and the topic was brought back up again ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. One of the top-rated cornerbacks in the class is Cooper DeJean, a cornerback out of Iowa who just so happens to be white.
While he fell out of the first round, the Eagles traded up on Day 2 to take DeJean No. 40 overall in the second round. It was the second consecutive secondary member Philadelphia added, as the selection came less than 24 hours after the defending NFC East champions took Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22.
However, DeJean was put in an uncomfortable position just hours after the Eagles took him, thanks to an awkward question by a member of the media during his introductory press conference.
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Cooper DeJean interview
The Philadelphia media got a chance to talk to the newest member of Nick Sirianni's team soon after the pick was made official. One reporter wasted no time pointing out the obvious and asking a less-than-intelligent question to DeJean.
What an outrageous question in Cooper DeJean’s Introductory Press Conference 😭#Eagles pic.twitter.com/C2LNBsAIgb
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) April 27, 2024
"There haven't been many white starting cornerbacks in the NFL in a long time. Do you think that will prevent you from getting that opportunity?" the reporter asked DeJean.
As expected, the newest member of the Eagles didn't take the bait. Instead, he said he's "excited" to play if the opportunity presents itself.
"If they put me out there, I'll be excited to play out there," DeJean responded.
What else is DeJean supposed to say? Sure, there is a history of a lack of cornerbacks that look like him, but here he is just hours after his dream of the NFL is coming true, and he has to answer someone questioning his ability.
MORE: Why did Cooper DeJean slide in 2024 NFL Draft?
Are there any white cornerbacks in the NFL?
With the Eagles selecting DeJean, there is a chance that he becomes the first white starting cornerback in the league since Jason Sehorn, who started for the Giants between 1996 and 2002.
There have been a couple of cornerbacks on NFL rosters that have seen limited playing time. The most recent was Troy Apke, a 2018 draft pick for Washington. While he played safety in college at Penn State, he converted to cornerback in 2021, making him the first white NFL player at the position since Dustin Fox in 2008.
