The kerfuffle began with a social media post by Colin Allred, a former NFL player who served in Congress for six years before unsuccessfully challenging Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in the 2024 election. Hey [James Talarico], Allred wrote along with a waving hand emoji, don't come for me unless I send for you. In the attached video, Allred excoriated Talarico for allegedly calling him a mediocre Black man in a conversation about Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX).