Reminds me of the praise heaped upon Ted Nugent early on that he's remained extremely proud of his whole life.
As a skinny young guitarist just leaving the stage, a famous old black blues musician (I can't remember which) pulls him aside and says, 'Son if you keep playing like that, you're going to be a ****** when you grow up.'
Irvins words, as inappropriate as they might have be perceived, were intended as endearing praise. Even though Irvin often irks me, I'm not holding this one against him.
What ever became of the rule Sticks and Stones my break my bones but words will never hurt me
The double standard bothers me more than what he said. A white guy saying a black QB has to be white to play the game that smart would be gone instantly.