Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce defends Riley Cooper

Jul 31, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper (14) addresses the media concerning an internet video at the Eagles NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper (14) addresses the media concerning an internet video at the Eagles NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 31, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper (14) addresses the media concerning an internet video at the Eagles NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper (14) addresses the media concerning an internet video at the Eagles NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s been a rough training cam thus far for the Philadelphia Eagles, especially if you’re a receiver. Not one week after Jeremy Maclin went down with a season-ending ACL tear, Riley Cooper was caught on video using a racial slur in an argument with an African-American security guard at a June Kenny Chesney concert.

There’s since been an outcry by fans, media and even former and current NFL players to suspend Cooper for his egregious actions, and some are even calling for him to be cut, citing the fact that he plays with so many African-American players, that keeping him on the roster will lead to a divided locker-room

Eagles starting center Jason Kelce, who was with Cooper at the concert which he made the controversial statements, is one of the few players coming to Riley’s aide:

"Riley was my friend before the fact and he’s still my friend and teammate going forward. Anybody that really knows him knows he’s not a racist, but sometimes he can get a little bit out of control. We were both pretty intoxicated on the day."