Pat Surtain II Shares Witty Take on Riley Moss' Penalty Epidemic
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss has faced criticism this season for attracting a high number of penalties, but teammate Patrick Surtain II stepped in to defend him with humor and perspective.
Both Surtain and Moss are dedicated students of the game, often analyzing opponents together and sharing insights each week. Despite being frequently targeted as the defender opposite Surtain, Moss successfully intercepts or breaks up more than half of the passes thrown his way.
Even with his strong performance, observers have pointed out Moss’ unusually high penalty rate. Surtain, speaking on his Closed On Sundays podcast with co-host Terrion Arnold, jokingly offered his take on the situation.
“I think they're racial profiling my dog, though, man,” Surtain said with a smile. “They're calling all these flags on my boy, man. I ain't going to lie; the flags is egregious.”
The remark was clearly made in jest, poking fun at the rarity of white cornerbacks in modern NFL rosters. Both Moss and Cooper DeJean, former Iowa players, stand out as exceptions in that regard.
When the Broncos drafted Moss, the topic of the “white corner” resurfaced, prompting several questions to head coach Sean Payton during the 2023 offseason. Moss was often compared to former New York Giants cornerback Jason Seahorn, who was similarly regarded as a unique player in his era.
Author’s Summary
Surtain’s humorous defense of Riley Moss highlights both the camaraderie within the Broncos’ secondary and the cultural nuances surrounding their roles on the field.