When they say _____, what they really mean is _____.

When sports announcers, commentators, and fans refer to a sportsman or sportswoman as "the most athletic person" playing a given sport, (with some exceptions) what they mean to say is "that black person is physically gifted and an incredible natural talent, but is still somewhat unpolished."

Athlete

When sports announcers, commentators, and fans refer to a sportsman or sportswoman as "gritty" or "scrappy", (with some exceptions) what they mean to say is "that white person is not particularly talented or physically gifted, but he tries really hard and he makes me feel proud to be a member of the Herrenvolk."

Grit and scrap personified