NEW YORK — The confetti has barely settled in Santa Clara, but the media war is just heating up. While Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III and quarterback Sam Darnold were spinning in teacups at Disneyland on Monday, FS1’s Craig Carton was loading up for a Tuesday morning blitz. His target? Ryan Clark and Jemele Hill.
Carton accused the two pundits of being “race baiters” who couldn’t handle the optics of a white quarterback and a black Super Bowl MVP celebrating together. The rant came just 48 hours after the Seahawks bulldozed the Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl 60.
The Tea Cup Incident
The controversy stems from a viral moment during the traditional “I’m Going to Disney World” victory lap. Walker, who torched New England for 135 rushing yards to secure MVP honors, and Darnold, the redemption-arc hero, were filmed laughing on the Mad Tea Party ride. It was a rare moment of pure, unscripted joy.
Ryan Clark, speaking on NFL Live Monday, noted the duo’s low-key vibe post-game, saying, “You guys were the most calm Super Bowl winners I have ever seen… none of y’all turned up.”
Carton saw something darker in the coverage.
“We Should Do a Wellness Check”
On Tuesday’s edition of The Craig Carton Show, the host didn’t hold back. He suggested that certain media figures were seething because the visual didn’t fit a divisive narrative.
“I don’t want them to get too upset that Sam Darnold got invited to Disney along with Kenneth Walker, the MVP of Super Bowl 60. I know the mere sight of having a white player in that tea cup with the MVP, who happens to be black, is enough to set them off and down a very bad path.” — Craig Carton, Host
Carton doubled down, sarcastically offering medical assistance to his media rivals.
“So I’m hoping that we could do a wellness check on the two biggest race baiters in America to make sure that they’re okay, that they’re not upset that Kenny Walker had to share the teacup ride with his white quarterback.”
Seahawks Silence the Noise
While the talking heads argue, the Seahawks are busy fitting rings. Walker’s performance was historic the first running back to win Super Bowl MVP since Terrell Davis. He averaged a staggering 5.0 yards per carry against a top-tier Patriots defense.
Darnold, meanwhile, ignored the noise. When Clark asked about the lack of a wild club celebration, Walker kept it simple: “I just chilled with my family, went to the room, and vibed out.”
What’s Next
Expect a response. Ryan Clark is not known for letting direct shots slide, and Jemele Hill is active on social media. This feud is likely to eclipse the actual game analysis by the weekend. For Seattle, the only thing that matters is the parade scheduled for Thursday in downtown Seattle, where Darnold and Walker will ride on the same float—whether the pundits like it or not.
