FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Speaking up can come at a price. When broader-scale issues such as race intersect with NFL story lines, players find themselves in an uncomfortable position. No one knows that better than Willie Colon.
"If you're going to talk about a topic, be educated about it. And also, be ready to take the feedback and the backlash,'' Colon told Newsday after practice Wednesday. "You can't put something out there and then be like, 'Well, I didn't mean this.' ''
During Tuesday night's episode of "Inside the NFL'' on Showtime, Jets receiver Brandon Marshall said he's talked to many players who believe race played a role in the DeflateGate ruling that vacated the four-game suspension of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.