Broncos CB Patrick Surtain Defends Riley Moss Against Racial Profiling Claims
Denver Broncos cornerback and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II defended his teammate, starting cornerback Riley Moss, amid discussions around race.
Moss, who is white, made history by becoming the NFL's first white starting cornerback in 22 years when he began the 2024 season opener for the Broncos. Despite this historic milestone, conversations often return to his race.
Since then, Moss has emerged as one of the NFL's most promising young cornerbacks, frequently targeted by opposing teams' passes — not due to poor performance, but because Surtain is widely regarded as nearly impenetrable. Teams rarely attempt passes against Surtain; in fact, at one point during the 2024 season, it was statistically safer to throw the ball away than to challenge him directly.
However, Moss has been called for numerous defensive pass interference penalties. Surtain, who will miss three games due to a pec strain, suggested in a lighthearted manner that these penalties might stem from racial bias.
“I ain’t gonna lie, I think they racial profiling my dog,” Surtain said on the Closed on Sundays With Pat and Terrion podcast with Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold. “They calling all these flags on my boy … I ain’t gonna lie, these flags is egregious. He had a rep against CeeDee Lamb where he played the ball, where he was in perfect position, and he still got a flag.”
Summary
Patrick Surtain II defends teammate Riley Moss from what he perceives as unfair racial profiling by referees, highlighting ongoing challenges tied to Moss's historic role as a white starting cornerback.