Doug Williams said Wha'?

[JGisLordOfTheRings]

Okay article I found on Yahoo Sports. The last 2 lines are what get me. Just read and discuss.

AP Interview: Doug Williams basks in landmark day for NFL - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

[SmootSmack]

He talked about this the other day. Just how he was so wrapped up in just being a football player on Super Bowl Sunday and trying to lead his team to victory, that he didn't think of deeper signifance really while he was in the moment. I can understand that.

[dmek25]

does it really matter what the color of someones skin is? i cheered for doug williams the same way i cheered for jurgey

[Warpath]

Originally Posted by dmek25

does it really matter what the color of someones skin is? i cheered for doug williams the same way i cheered for jurgey

Amen. I get frustrated when the media says things like "the first black qb in the superbowl..." or "the first black coach in the superbowl..." can't we just say that this is his first time to the big game and that he is in fact a great player or coach? Why do they continously have to point out the fact that he is black? Did they have to mention that Bart Starr was the first white qb in the superbowl back in 1967? I think not.
It just seems to me that for this country to move forward we need to not even mention what color someone is.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Warpath

Amen. I get frustrated when the media says things like "the first black qb in the superbowl..." or "the first black coach in the superbowl..." can't we just say that this is his first time to the big game and that he is in fact a great player or coach? Why do they continously have to point out the fact that he is black? Did they have to mention that Bart Starr was the first white qb in the superbowl back in 1967? I think not.
It just seems to me that for this country to move forward we need to not even mention what color someone is.

I understand your sentiments and respect them, but I disagree with them. But in my opinion race is still an issue in football. For years many thought that black football players were good at running and catching, but lacked the mental acumen to play QB. That stereotype persists to this day, albeit behind closed doors (I've heard people express as much). That is, IMHO, why you see so many black football players at WR, CB, RB, LB, and along the lines, but not at QB.

The reason why Bart Starr's race was not pointed out was simply because he was white, it was not unusual. The reason why Jackie Robinson's race is pointed out is that he was a trailblazer and dealt with a tremendous amount of adversity on account of his race. While I understand the belief that we shouldn't talk about race, its simply a fact that it does have an impact (albeit less and less of an impact over time as society becomes more tolerant).

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

I understand your sentiments and respect them, but I disagree with them. But in my opinion race is still an issue in football. For years many thought that black football players were good at running and catching, but lacked the mental acumen to play QB. That stereotype persists to this day, albeit behind closed doors (I've heard people express as much). That is, IMHO, why you see so many black football players at WR, CB, RB, LB, and along the lines, but not at QB.

The reason why Bart Starr's race was not pointed out was simply because he was white, it was not unusual. The reason why Jackie Robinson's race is pointed out is that he was a trailblazer and dealt with a tremendous amount of adversity on account of his race. While I understand the belief that we shouldn't talk about race, its simply a fact that it does have an impact (albeit less and less of an impact over time as society becomes more tolerant).

Couldn't have said it any better.

[SkinEmAll]

Doug Williams is black?

[JGisLordOfTheRings]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

He talked about this the other day. Just how he was so wrapped up in just being a football player on Super Bowl Sunday and trying to lead his team to victory, that he didn't think of deeper signifance really while he was in the moment. I can understand that.

When you put it like that, it makes a lot more sense to a stoner like myself. LOL.

[JGisLordOfTheRings]

Originally Posted by SkinEmAll

Doug Williams is black?

Thats what I said! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA........oh that was great...I would LOVE for someone to say that around me and be totally serious so i could die laughing.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by JGisLordOfTheRings

Thats what I said! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA........oh that was great...I would LOVE for someone to say that around me and be totally serious so i could die laughing.

Look, not to change the subject here but your sig makes no sense:

"I'd run over Russ Grimm's mother to get to the Superbowl too."
-Russ Grimm, on being asked about saying he would run over his own mother to get to the Superbowl

That's Matt Millen's quote (not Russ Grimm's) after Russ Grimm said he'd run over his own mother to win the Super Bowl (SB XVIII)

[wilsowilso]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

Look, not to change the subject here but your sig makes no sense:

"I'd run over Russ Grimm's mother to get to the Superbowl too."
-Russ Grimm, on being asked about saying he would run over his own mother to get to the Superbowl

That's Matt Millen's quote (not Russ Grimm's) after Russ Grimm said he'd run over his own mother to win the Super Bowl (SB XVIII)

That was confusing me quite a bit earlier today.

[Skins_4_Lyfe]

Originally Posted by Warpath

Amen. I get frustrated when the media says things like "the first black qb in the superbowl..." or "the first black coach in the superbowl..." can't we just say that this is his first time to the big game and that he is in fact a great player or coach? Why do they continously have to point out the fact that he is black? Did they have to mention that Bart Starr was the first white qb in the superbowl back in 1967? I think not.
It just seems to me that for this country to move forward we need to not even mention what color someone is.

It's almost routine to make it a news flash when the first African American does anything in this country. I guess it's their way of recognizing the progress that we've made while here; that’s why we have Black History month. It often bothers me too when this is mentioned because it almost seems as if everyone is surprised that an African American has amounted to anything, but at the same time I guess they do it for a cause. It Would be nice to live in a colorless society though.

[FRPLG]

Isn't focusing so much on the fact that Williams was the first black QB in a SB or on the two black coaches this weekend perpetuating the issue of differences between races. I think it is ironic that such an issue is made when what everyone should be striving for is an actual lack of any attention since it shouldn't be big a deal.

To me, celebrating something done by a minority, simply because he or she is a minority, just contributes to the problem be it perceived or not.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

I understand your sentiments and respect them, but I disagree with them. But in my opinion race is still an issue in football. For years many thought that black football players were good at running and catching, but lacked the mental acumen to play QB. That stereotype persists to this day, albeit behind closed doors (I've heard people express as much). That is, IMHO, why you see so many black football players at WR, CB, RB, LB, and along the lines, but not at QB.

The reason why Bart Starr's race was not pointed out was simply because he was white, it was not unusual. The reason why Jackie Robinson's race is pointed out is that he was a trailblazer and dealt with a tremendous amount of adversity on account of his race. While I understand the belief that we shouldn't talk about race, its simply a fact that it does have an impact (albeit less and less of an impact over time as society becomes more tolerant).

I agree with you but I don't see racism as much concerning QB as much as in the front office and high profile positions (coach/GM). The good thing about the SB this year is that it will most likely break down some of the stereotypes present in the hiring practices. It 10-15 years minority coaches and GM's will be everywhere.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Grim21Reaper

I agree with you but I don't see racism as much concerning QB as much as in the front office and high profile positions (coach/GM). The good thing about the SB this year is that it will most likely break down some of the stereotypes present in the hiring practices. It 10-15 years minority coaches and GM's will be everywhere.

Excellent point.

Also, I obviously agree with the general point that it would nice to live in a colorless society. And, to a certain extent, I agree that singling out someone as a minority for special recognition further divides the races.

Nevertheless, I feel that people like Jackie Robinson should be celebrated for their trailblazing. The simple fact is that what we want (i.e. a colorless society) is different from what we've got (i.e. a generally tolerant society, but one in which race does matter).

As I said before, I think there are legitimate arguments on both sides of this debate and I'm happy that we can discuss this civilly and intelligently.