Gerald McCoy quotes  to back Gilbert Arenas in slamming NBA & NFL media (Image credit: Imagn)

Former NFL defender Gerald McCoy appeared on Gilbert Arenas’ eponymous show to discuss various topics, including how media members in the NBA and NFL differ. To this, the three-time All-Pro defensive tackle picked a similarity and commented on how some media members often create stories from nothing. He further said:

“I’ve had instances where I literally got media members’ numbers and said, ‘Final warning. I’ve told you to stop making stories up, stop doing this, don’t do that,’ so yeah, we get just as irritated as y’all.” (Time stamp: 1:38:31)

When Arenas talked about how people try to define players without watching them practice, McCoy quoted Kobe Bryant to reinforce his point:

“When Kobe would say, ‘I seen you practice, why would I give you the ball in the game?’ I watched what you did in practice, why would I give— but y’all don’t know that ’cause y’all are not at practice.” (Time stamp: 1:39:30)

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2024 included multiple debates between NFL and NBA players about who would fare better if they switched sports. This conversation became bigger than expected, with former basketball players like Austin Rivers engaging in a back-and-forth with former NFL players like J.J. Watt and Randy Moss. Now, two former stars of their respective leagues are united in going after media members.

Gerald McCoy, a six-time Pro Bowler, a one-time first-team All-Pro and two-time second-team All-Pro during his 11-year tenure in the NFL, recorded 59.5 sacks, 334 total tackles and six forced fumbles while playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders.

Gerald McCoy on the differences between NFL and NBA players

Gerald McCoy had much to say regarding the debate between NFL and NBA players on the show.

“Football players are the best athletes,” McCoy said. “Basketball players are the most skilled.”

He then talked about how football players deal with uncontrollable factors as opposed to basketball players:

“You are in a controlled climate. If I go to Green Bay and it’s snowing, they don’t care. I still have to go do my job at the highest level with a snowstorm coming through. As long as there’s not lightning, they don’t want to hear it. That’s the separation.

“That’s where everything changes. … Skill-wise, what y’all do, y’all are the most skilled, period. But when you add a helmet, shoulder pads – changes everything.”

This debate may not be as heated as before, but it seems like it will stick around for a while.