Torii Hunter Had No-Trade Clause to Boston Due to Red Sox Fans’ Racist Abuse

In Friday’s Hot Clicks: why Torii Hunter made sure he’d never play for the Red Sox, NFL players call on the league to step up and more

Transcript

00:00The New York Jets drafted Mekhi Becton, number 11, during the NFL draft.

00:06And even at 6'7 and 364 pounds, his mom, Simone, is opening up about her motherly concerns

00:14for his safety, along with her two sons at home.

00:17Joining me now from Jets country is Christian Dyer.

00:20Christian, the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis while in police custody is

00:25a grim reminder of the horrific events still taking place in this country.

00:30You spoke with Mekhi's mom, Simone, about how she feels sending her son out in the world

00:35to play in the NFL.

00:37What did she share with you?

00:40Your son might be 6'7 and 364 pounds, but if you're Simone Becton, you're always going

00:46to have a motherly love and I think a motherly concern.

00:49And while she acknowledged that it is a dangerous world and a scary world at times, in particular,

00:55for African-Americans and young African-American males, in particular, in light of the George

01:01Floyd situation in Minneapolis, she also said that she has a real belief in God and that

01:06he is ultimately in control and that she has a vibrant prayer life.

01:12But also she's relying on the fact that there is a close nuclear family circle around Mekhi

01:17and their other two young boys, Michael, who's 12 years old, rather, and Mason, who's three

01:22years old.

01:23They're relying very much on the father, Jerome, who is an active father in terms of his involvement

01:31with the boys and being a role model and being constantly tuned in and plugged in with Mekhi,

01:36and also the grandfather, who is also very active as well, safeguarding and providing

01:41mentorship.

01:42So there's a real nucleus around the Jets' first-round pick and one that they're relying

01:46on through these difficult and confusing times.

01:49Absolutely.

01:50Absolutely.

01:51Well, I think we can all take some advice to them leaning towards family and faith in

01:53this challenging time.

01:54Christian, thank you so much for this insight.