Chip Kelly, facing racism accusations, doesn't regret keeping Riley Cooper

Philadelphia head coach Chip Kelly, accused by ex-Eagles of making race-based roster moves and of having trouble relating to his players, doesn't regret his decision to retain reciever Riley Cooper after he was videotaped using the N-word in 2013.

Cooper was caught using the N-word at a Kenny Chesney concert leading Eagles players, including LeSean McCoy, who said in May that Kelly "got rid of all the good players," to publicly rebuke Cooper.

Kelly said Tuesday he wouldn't change how he handled Cooper's use of a racial slur - keeping him on the roster, and since extending his contract - while pointing out how the entire team and organization supported that decision.

"I think he regrets what he did that day every single day," Kelly said of Cooper, according to Elliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com. "I see that in him. But do I regret what I did in terms of how I handled that? No I don't."

Added Kelly, "We all backed him."

Recently jettisoned corner Brandon Boykin and McCoy have both asserted that Kelly is unable to relate to young black players, giving the coach a racist reputation as he continues to mold the team in his image.

Boykin clarified his comments, adding, "I'm not saying he's a racist in any way."

Former Eagles offensive tackle and coach Tra Thomas has stated that some players have felt "a hint of racism" in the locker room since Kelly became head coach.