Welcome back to The Jalen Ramsey Show. We’re here to discuss your life and your money and some might say the advice here is always worth what you pay for it. We have open lines at 818-338-0011. Let’s get started today with Jeff from Philadelphia. Jeff, welcome to The Jalen Ramsey Show.

Greetings Jalen! Thanks for taking my call, man. How are you?

Better than the Jaguars under Tom Coughlin. How can I help?

Well, as like with most shows these days, I’m calling about today’s current events and how I can best make a difference but, still, while not going overboard. You know, with all this talk of systemic racism and structural change, I’m fortunate to be one of the leaders making changes.

That’s great to hear. What tangible changes are you committed to that will perpetuate a more fair and just financial and judicial systems in the future?

What do I need to change?

You’re asking me? I thought you were making the changes.

Look, I’m a movie industry guy; a sports fan; and a billionaire. And I am comfortable saying that I don’t relate to so much of what I’m hearing in the news. I’ve got a doctorate and no loan debt. I’ve been a wildly successful businessman. I’ve lived the bulk of my life between just Philadelphia and Boston. So, while I haven’t walked in many of their shoes, I am trying to listen to the things these protesters want. And then my goal is to make changes accordingly.

Well, I have to say that I respect that. It’s tough to stand up publicly sometimes and say you don’t have the answer. Look at Doug Marrone. He’s a .440 coach in Jacksonville but he still won’t admit that he’s got no plan even after back to back losing seasons and now releasing Leonard Fournette. So, one of the values I do subscribe to during this pandemic — regardless of your financial status — is to cut yourself some slack and enjoy the little victories. Not at practice or anything; we’re there to fucking win. But you, Jeff, need to indulge in some self-care? Then do it! Gain a little weight? You don’t need to go anorexic tonight but set yourself up with a plan. So, tell me, what protest messages have you heard loud and clear that you want to act on?

It was a bit back but I thought the people demanding that we open back up businesses to full production made some pretty good points. And then, you know, anything a bunch of boaters think is good is probably good, right?

So this…isn’t great so far here, Jeff. But I get it! You haven’t walked a mile in these people’s shoes. How about anything more recent? Anything related to black businesses receiving less preferential loan consideration? Or maybe related to redlining the suburbs? Or, just most directly, what bias disruptors —  that is, what tweaks to existing business systems, such as hiring practices, performance evaluations, work assignments, promotions and compensation decisions, that stop and correct implicit workplace biases — might be implemented in your very businesses?

Oh well, so far just the boilerplate efforts. Which! You know I say it like that but, really, it’s a lot you know. In all NFL end zones this season, we’ll have the messages,  “It Takes All Of Us” on one end line, “End Racism” on the other. So that’s…yeah…that’s pretty big. And I voted for that. I was a yay. 

Uh huh. So you’re messaging to your fans and —

I’m not sure I can budge on the Anthem standing though. I mean, we’re the city of the…you know the thing….the signing of the Declaration or Constitution Agreement or whatever. Plus Ben Franklin. Your generation seems to think Ben Franklin is funny for some reason but I can’t get why —

Hey man, look. I think you’re sincere in your commitment here but I’m just not sure you’re ever gonna get it. I think you might be a little too far away for a little long to even understand. So I’m not trying to be mean or make fun but, I guess, I just don’t get exactly what it is you want to discuss.

Look, Jalen. You gotta level with me here. I’m a smart man but Good Lord am I out of touch. I am. I don’t speak your language. I don’t know the backstory. I’ve never watched a Netflix! I can admit that. I’m tone deaf. But I’m asking you to let me hear because I mean this question honestly and sincerely: are we going down the right path — that I’m completely letting you steer but I do think I am owed an explanation on where we are going — to a solution considering one of these milestones…to use a football analogy; One of These Yards we fight so hard for on every drive…ONE OF THESE INCHES WE KILL ONE ANOTHER FOR ON THE FIELD…one of these moments that serve as a point along the arc of the moral universe that bends it ultimately towards justice…one of these symbols of sincere and real social progress is a Thursday night television broadcast to America’s kitchen tables spotlighting Richie Incognito in an, “Injustice against one of us is injustice against all of us. // End racism.” NFLPA tee-shirt during warmups?

Man….You sound like a Project Veritas or somethin’. Let’s take the little time we have left after whatever-that-was to take Line 2 where we got uhhh….Chase. No. Ja’Marr. Ja’Marr Chase from…I can’t read that…Harvey? Harvey, Louisiana?

Thanks for taking my call, Jalen. How are you doing?

All good here, Jamarvey. Need to ask you to keep it short. What do you know?

Well uhhh, I think uh I just want to make sure I’m making the right call here. I was the nation’s best wide receiver last year but was too young to declare for this year’s draft. At this point, I don’t see the payoff to playing this season. Between injuries and the virus and just the poor level of competition that will inevitably be displayed on 2020 game tape, I’m just gonna start training to go pro. Is that a good move? I’ll take your thoughts off the air.

Yeah. You ain’t getting paid to go out there and play college ball. You’re giving up your time and risking your health but, this year, NFL prospects are investing a ton of time into learning a playbook that they may never execute for scouts, depending on how the season plays out. Or you could start preparing for the combine. You won the Bednarik and you’re a projected top ten pick. Why would you play? If every white washout QB is getting three or four contracts then why wouldn’t an award winner get one? Stay safe. Protect your health. Don’t take the beating of a season when no one else is. And, again, they ain’t paying you shit? Fuck the NCAA.

So thanks to everyone for today. We got through some calls and I just want to remind everyone that Leonard Fournette is out there and he’s an asset to look at. Bortles don’t sniff the Conference Championship Game without the two of us and look how bad they got without me. See what happens without my dogg either. Better pray for a shortened season. Just watch. Watch, mask up, and we’ll see you next time, right here, on The Jalen Ramsey Show.