ESPN's Chris Canty Mocks Joe Burrow's Looks While Accusing Others of 'Disrespecting' Lamar Jackson

ESPN radio host Chris Canty demanded the media "give Lamar Jackson his respect" heading into the postseason. He said he was sick of the disrespect and people personalizing their coverage of Jackson.

Who exactly was disrespecting Jackson is unclear, given he is likely to win his third NFL MVP next week.

But such commentary is common throughout ESPN. Commentaries rage against strawmen in Jackson's honor. ESPN pundits claim Jackson is treated differently than other quarterbacks because he looks different, "wears platinum grills on the field," and his "hair is woven tightly into a dozen tiny braids."

As we await examples of these claims, we noticed some oddities in ESPN's coverage of another quarterback. No, not Josh Allen. It is well established that ESPN frequently targets Allen as a means to prop up Lamar. We are referring to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

Currently trending on X is a comment Canty made about Burrow on "First Take" on Friday morning with Stephen A. Smith and Cam Newton. On set, Canty was angered by the notion that Burrow is "elite." To him, Burrow is just average.

X users could not understand how a paid analyst could argue that Burrow – who led the NFL in passing touchdowns and yards – does not qualify as elite. They can't understand the dismissal of the only active quarterback to beat Mahomes in the playoffs. 

But it turns out there's a trend. For months, Canty has been disrespecting Burrow—to use a word—mocking his looks. "Damn it. Stop putting the guy with frosted tips in his hair ahead of Lamar Jackson," he said of  Burrow's new hairstyle, while angered that unnamed figures might prefer Burrow to Jackson.

CINCINNATI - Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up before the game against the New