Joe Flacco Shoots Down Trap Question About Being a Mentor to Shedeur Sanders

A reporter asked Browns quarterback Joe Flacco whether he considers himself a mentor to the younger quarterbacks on Cleveland’s roster. Flacco’s response was direct and clear: “I’m not a mentor; I play football.”

Flacco also exposed the question for what it was, a trap to get a headline. He dissected the question by explaining, “It’s a good question to bait somebody into answering and no matter how they answer it, it makes the guy answering it look bad.” He pivoted to himself, “If I say I don’t want to be a mentor, I look bad; if I say I do want to be a mentor, then I look like an idiot that doesn’t care about being good and playing football.”

Flacco then focused on the reporters and completely dressed them down. He rightfully pointed out how no matter how he answers the question, the reporters can put any kind of spin on his answer. That’s why he said he tries to avoid those types of questions.

Those are the types of questions that typically get corporate-speak type of answers. The answers are filled with jargon that means absolutely nothing. As Flacco pointed out, the questions are just designed to get headlines. It’s refreshing to hear Flacco put the reporter in their place, but more thoughtful questions should be asked.

Flacco is 40 years old, entering his 18th NFL season and has led a Super Bowl-winning team. At the risk of stating the obvious, he has what it takes to be a mentor. He also has what it takes to compete and be a winner. With a 61.7% completion rate, throwing for more than 45,000 yards, and a 257-162 touchdown-to-interception ratio, there’s a reason Flacco confidentially said that he sees “himself as a guy who can play in this league.”

The question about mentorship shouldn’t be directed at Flacco, it should be asked of Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, and Kenny Pickett. And the question should be: What are you doing to make sure you learn what you can from Flacco?