Comparatively Speaking (Part 2)

Comparatively Speaking (Part 2)

Donovan McNabb recently made the comment that black quarterbacks face greater scrutiny than their white counterparts. Many whites wrote comments denying any racial prejudice, preference or partiality concerning the treatment of quarterbacks whether they are Black or White. Surely the "There he goes playing the Race Card" retort will be used in numerous media outlets in response to McNabb’s comments. Of course, the "he’s playing the race card" does not give definitive proof that his accusations are not true. Let’s look closer at this topic.
Donovan McNabb could have been alluding to the fact that (historically) N.F.L. teams have not been quick to draft and install African-Americans as quarterbacks. Many times, African-Americans who played quarterback in High School, were "encouraged" to switch positions if they wished to keep playing at the college level. Those who played College football as a quarterback, would oftentimes be drafted as an "athlete" and switched to another position at the professional level. Their "athletic" abilities afforded them the opportunity to play professional football, just not (Pro teams seemed to be saying) at the position of quarterback.
When describing the Black Athlete, words like "athletic", "quick", "naturally gifted", "strong" and "fast" seem to be used quite often. The White Athlete on the other hand is usually labeled as "smart", "heady", "decisive" and "getting the most out of his limited natural abilities". When teams have looked for that "Leader on the field", they have tended to believe that the white quarterback had the attributes they desired to "Lead" their teams. The fact that the Black quarterback may have "Athletic" prowess, does not preclude him from also having the other qualities commonly associated with the White athlete. I believe this is were much of the problem lies.
America is comfortable and accepting of the "Athletic" Black athlete and the "Smart" (though less athletic) White athlete. The athletic prowess of the Black athlete has had him excelling at almost every position on the football field. The quarter-backing abilities of the African-American at the College level has demanded that he be looked at by the Pros in this capacity. We find journalist and sports commentators exclaiming that color is not an issue when discussing the quarterback position. It is interesting however, when listening to sports commentators on television or radio, to hear how often they describe the professional quarterback who is Black as "athletic" and the White quarterback as "smart".
The "Smart" guy "Reads" the defenses and makes the "Correct" throws. He leads his team as a "Field General" down the field. "Utilizing" all of the weapons at his disposal". The "Athletic" quarterback is fast and elusive, "but he does not seem to have the same command of the offense as"... "He needs to become a better passer if he wants to become great"... "He needs to stay in the pocket more so he can"... "He led his team to the playoffs, but if he wants to get to the next level he has to"...
Some people believe that the simple fact that Blacks are drafted and implemented as the team’s starting quarterback is proof positive that there is no racial bias. So, does the fact that a family can afford to move into a neighborhood because of their income, be under the protection of laws that make it illegal to harass them, while living in a country of Constitutional guarantees, mean that it is impossible for them to endure bigotry, bias and slander from those living around them? Likewise, simply being able to play quarterback in the N.F.L. does not mean that African-Americans who play the position are not subjugated to biased and tougher scrutiny than their White counterparts.
Donovan McNabb entered the N.F.L. in 1999. He has led his team (The Philadelphia Eagles) to 4 straight Conference championship games within his first 7 years in the league. Leading his team all the way to the Super Bowl after the 2004 season. In 2004, McNabb accomplished something that no one else in the history of the N.F.L. had done. He became the first person to throw for over 30 touchdowns (31) and have less than double digit interceptions (9) in the same year. He has been to multiple Pro Bowls (5) in his first eight seasons. For all of these accomplishments, Donovan McNabb has been the subject of discussions as to whether or not he should be in the future plans of the Eagles as their starting quarterback.
While age and the acquisition of a quarterback in waiting who is of a Pro Bowl caliber is and has been legitimate reasoning for choosing to let go of a great quarterback, neither his age (30) nor his backup are such. We find other quarterbacks (who are white) of his football playing stature under no such scrutiny or debate. What he has accomplished on the field (oftentimes carrying the team on his back) should allow him to "write his own ticket" in Philadelphia.
Michael Vick has been the quintessential "Athletic" quarterback. He led his College team (Virginia Tech) all the way to the National Championship game in his sophomore season. Vick was selected #1 overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. After the 2002 regular season, Michael Vick led his team in accomplishing a feat that had never occurred before. The Green Bay Packers had never lost a home playoff game in their storied history. Vick led the upstart Falcons to a 27 to 7 victory. Two years later (2004) Vick guided his team all the way to the NFC Championship game. Within the first 5 years of his arrival, the Falcons had made it to within one game of the Super Bowl. Yet sports commentators say that if Vick does not do better in his passing, they (the Falcons) may want to move on without Michael Vick. Again, what other quarterback who is less than 3 years removed from an NFC title game (except for age or a top flight quarterback waiting in the wings) is talked about in this manner?
Vince Young performed the "Greatest" individual football feat in the history of football (College, Pro, or any other level). He led the "underdog" Texas Longhorns into the "backyard" of one of the "Best" teams in the History of College football (U.S.C. Trojans- 34 Game winning streak / 2-time defending champion / Reggie Bush & Matt Leinard). Vince Young threw for almost 300 yards (267) and rushed for another 200 yards. After winning this game, Vince declared himself eligible for the N.F.L. draft. Sports pundits declared that he was not ready for the N.F.L. yet. They talked "throwing motion" and about the fact that he ran so much. After taking the Wonderlic test, it was revealed that Vince did not score very high and the critics really piled on. It has been said that Dan Marino did not score very high on the wonderlic; was there a "pile on" there? What Vince Young did "on the field" was extraordinary ! It is hard to believe that if someone of a lighter hue would have done "on th field", those things that Vince did against U.S.C. in the Rose Bowl, that there would even be a discussion about them declaring early for the N.F.L. draft. By the way, Vince Young, the young man that some football "experts" said wouldn’t be ready to play in the N.F.L. for at least 2 years won offensive rookie of the year honors in 2006.
It is true that there are White quarterbacks who get criticized. The criticism seems to be different however than that directed towards the Black quarterback. Peyton Manning may have been criticized for not being able to win the "Big Game"by some (before Indianapolis won the Super Bowl after the 2006 season), but it was never suggested that he should be let go or sat down. When White quarterbacks are spoken of in terms of "the team needs to look in another direction" or they need to switch to a backup, the White quarterback has usually been playing badly for an extended period of time. You would be hard pressed to find a White quarterback who has accomplished "on the field" what these 3 young men of African descent have accomplished in the same time frame and be talked about as disparagingly as they have.
Jonathan Richardson
Author/Speaker/Poet
Jonathan is the Author of the thought provoking book: The Complicated Life Of The African-American Man(What’s on his mind) Purchase a copy today at:http://www.authorsden.com www.authorsden.com (Author Autographed copy) or www.amazon.com http://www.nowitsdonepublish.com