Paul Pierce (Peter Casey-Imagn Images)
Paul Pierce is saying the quiet part out loud.

When it comes to the NBA and NFL, many of the rosters are filled with African-American or Black players. However, as we have seen in many drafts, a number of them tend to date outside of their race.

That number has seemingly increased over the years.

One of the more prominent and current players is Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Anna Congdon and Saquon Barkley have been together since 2017 and share two kids.

The NFL star announced the couple’s engagement in February 2025.

“I have an amazing fiancée,” he said. “I can’t be the athlete I am and have the success I have without the help of her.”

The backlash towards him stems from him not only dating white women but also knowing that she has some old racist tweets in her past.

For former NBA player Paul Pierce, the reason that NBA players date outside their race is quite clear.

“Why do you feel like men, especially NBA players, get with white women? Is it because they’re ‘easy?’” Co-host Azar Farideh asked.

Paul Pierce responded with: “I honestly think that maybe they appreciate maybe more. And they apologize more,” he said while laughing.

Pierce added, “They don’t mind being held accountable.”

Pierce made it clear that he wasn’t sure, while the female host told viewers that all the Celtics legend does is date Black women.

Paul Pierce Was Married For A Long Time

Paul Pierce (Image Credit: Getty Images)

Paul Pierce talks about many things, but not many may know that he was once a married man.

Not many fans would’ve guessed that since he was fired from ESPN for recording himself around strippers on Instagram Live a few years ago.

Pierce married his longtime girlfriend, Julie Landrum, with whom he has three children, in 2010.

However, it seems they’re no longer together, as he officially stated their apparent breakup in 2023.

“I’m single what’s up,” he wrote in 2023 on X.

Pierce’s NBA career came to an end on April 30, 2017.