Former ESPN host Jemele Hill has sparked a furious reaction on social media after appearing to claim that new Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski will struggle because he is white.
The Falcons fired black head coach Raheem Morris after another difficult season and it was revealed last week that Stefanski – previously Cleveland Browns head coach – would be taking up the position in Atlanta.
In a post on social media, though, Hill revealed why she believes it will be a difficult road to success for Stefanski, despite many believing the hire to be an impressive one.
‘Harry Douglas was absolutely right,’ she began. ‘None of the Falcons fans I know like the Stefanski hire. He had a losing record in Cleveland and they didn’t like how he handled the Shedeur Sanders situation.
‘They LOVE Deion in the ATL. It’s a Black city, with one of the Blackest fan bases in the NFL, and they have a Black QB on their roster — so a lot of ATL fans are side-eyeing this hire. Stefanski isn’t going to get a honeymoon there.’
While Stefanski was in Cleveland, the franchise selected Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 Draft, and he began the season third on the depth chart behind Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel – who was drafted in the third round.
Jemele Hill has sparked a furious response after her Kevin Stefanski claims on social media
Hill hit out at Stefanski and his perceived treatment of Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland last year
Sanders eventually got his chance, starting seven games and recording a 3-4 record with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
After some initial backlash and claims that she was ‘race-baiting’, Hill added to her initial post by saying: ‘Because some of you misunderstood: ATL fans I know aren’t saying Deion should be the coach over Stefanski.
‘They are saying they don’t trust Stefanski because they don’t like how he treated Shedeur. They loved Deion. They love Shedeur by extension.’
On X, fans furiously responded to her posts, with one writing: ‘You don’t know any serious fans then. You just know ppl who claim to be fans, but don’t actually keep up with anything to do with the franchise.’
Another added: ‘Winning doesn’t see black or white. What a pathetic take. No one gives one f*** other than wins and losses. Time for you to grow up.’
In Cleveland, there was a clamoring for Stefanski to give Sanders his chance earlier than he eventually did, but there is no suggestion that his decision was anything to do with race.
In Atlanta, Stefanski is walking into another complex quarterback situation, with Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr on the roster.
White QB Cousins is a veteran at 37 and recently restructured his contract to help the team’s salary cap, while black QB Penix Jr is a 2024 first-round draft pick.
Shedeur’s father Deion is an Atlanta sports legend, playing for both the Falcons and Braves
NFL legend Matt Ryan is the Falcons’ new president of football, and he hired Stefanski
After Stefanski was fired in Cleveland, Sanders was asked to reflect on his year under the head coach’s tutelage.
‘Yeah, well, this year been the first year with a different head coach than Pop,’ Sanders said, referencing his time in college with his father Deion as HC.
‘So that was the adjustment off rip, and it was cool, it was straight. Like building different relationships in different circumstances, situations, which is always good to have those life goals and have those life lessons around.
‘Just to have them on building blocks, so then you’re prepared for any situation. So that’s what this last year was.’
