Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey has faced criticism this season not only for his performance on the field but also for his decision to host a podcast. The scrutiny intensified when sports commentator Chris Broussard questioned “The Marlon Humphrey Show” during an episode of “First Things First” prior to the Ravens’ significant defeat to the Houston Texans, where Baltimore lost 44-10. Humphrey did not participate in that game due to an injury.
Broussard remarked on the podcast, saying, “He’s silly, and that’s fine, but I don’t see Ronnie Lott, Rod Woodson, Ed Reed, I don’t see them doing this.” He suggested that Humphrey should be more focused on his role as an intimidator on the field. In response, Humphrey addressed the criticism during a recent podcast episode, acknowledging that being a veteran NFL player often invites such scrutiny.
“I’m an NFL player with a podcast, and when you have anything extracurricular, it’s always the, ‘Oh man, is he putting too much time into this?’” Humphrey stated. He expressed frustration over the implication that he is not fully committed to his responsibilities as a player.
“I’ve been to the facility today, I got a full-body massage at 07:00,” he continued. “I daggum went to rehab at 09:00. I daggum ran. About to do this, going to the dentist and then going back to the facility.”
As he works through a calf injury, Humphrey hopes to make a return to the field in his team’s upcoming game against the Los Angeles Rams. The Ravens have grappled with injuries and inconsistent performance, currently ranking last in the NFL for scoring defense, allowing over 35 points per game. Humphrey’s individual performance has also not been up to par, as he currently holds the second worst grade among cornerbacks with at least 75 snaps this season, having permitted 16 receptions for 224 yards on 21 targets, according to Pro Football Focus.
Despite Broussard’s concerns regarding Humphrey’s podcast, he is not alone among his teammates in engaging in similar ventures. Kyle Van Noy, an outside linebacker for the Ravens, also produces content related to the team, posting a weekly YouTube video where he provides insights on recent games and broader NFL issues. In a recent episode, Van Noy addressed his own postgame remarks and clarified that the messaging from coaches is being effectively communicated to the defenders.
Prominent players across the league, such as Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions, also engage in hosting podcasts. While Humphrey did not delve deeply into Broussard’s criticism during his latest episode, he did express his appreciation for Broussard’s engagement with his show, saying, “I’m happy Mr. Broussard is listening to the pod, man.”
As the Ravens continue to navigate a challenging season, the intersection of on-field performance and off-field endeavors like podcasting remains a topic of discussion in the sports community.
