Chip Kelly stunned as Boykin reopens racial discussion

PHILADELPHIA >> Add Brandon Boykin to the list of ex-Eagles bitter about the way Chip Kelly relates to African-American players.

So wrote CSN Philly’s Derrick Gunn, who Tweeted a series of text messages from Boykin, traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday for a conditional fifthround draft pick.

“The truth is Chip is uncomfortable around grown men of our culture,” Gunn tweeted of Boykin’s response. “He can’t relate, and that makes him uncomfortable. He likes to be in total control of everything. Players can excel when you naturally let them be who they are and in my experience that hasn’t been important to him. I’m forever grateful to Mr. Lurie, Howie, my teammates, and fans of Philadelphia end quote.”

A CSN spokesman confirmed the quotes were race related. Kelly felt ambushed. “When talking to him last night, I think he was stunned,” Kelly said Sunday. “He was disappointed. I think he really liked it here. He was very close with his teammates.

“When he left here last night, he shook my hand and gave me a hug. I like Brandon. I just don’t know. I really don’t know.”

Previously running back LeSean McCoy expressed his feelings about Kelly after being traded to the Buffalo Bills.

“You see how fast he got rid of all the good players,” McCoy told ESPN. “Especially all the good black players. He got rid of them the fastest. That’s the truth. There’s a reason.”

Kelly said the Eagles were loaded at cornerback, that he wished Boykin well and that, well, the organization gets a fourth-round pick from the Steelers if Boykin plays in 60 percent of the snaps.

Kelly also said the Ea- gles were looking to get taller and longer at cornerback. The Eagles drafted three rookie corners all 6-0 or better. Boykin is 5-9, 183 pounds. All of those players are African-Americans.

Beyond the Boykin mat- ter, quarterback Sam Bradford was a full-go at practice, along with everyone else on the 90-man roster.

Kelly said linebacker Mychal Kendricks wouldn’t be traded and you can “write that down in pen or pencil.”

TONY GUTIERREZ — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (25) and cornerback Brandon Boykin (22) pause on the field after a 2013 game against the Cowboys.