McNabb says black QBs criticized more

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

I dont think this type of thing will ever stop. It is changing, but slowly. Facts are facts. The QB position in the NFL has been a white position since the beginning. It is getting to be more diverse that what it use to be, but it will probably always be like it is now. Referring to McNabb, Young ect as the Black QB. I dont think him saying its because of my color I get critisized is fair, or on point. Like it was said earlier, Philly fans dont care what color he is, they will boo no matter what. I am sure if there was a white RB in the NFL now that was tearing it up, it would get a lot of attention because of him being white. Listen to players introduce other team members, they do it all the time. Didn't McNabb introduce on of his WR as "white lightening" or something. Why is that important, because the term white lightening means the white guy can run fast, which generally white guys aren't that fast. Its all over the NFL, and NBA for that matter. A white guy that play like a black guy, remember White Chocolate?? So for athletes to all of the sudden bring this crap up his hypocritical. thats my point of view.

Just worrying or thinking about "diversity" is racist in a way, it is still viewing people by the skin colors and even setting unfair quotas that make skin color more important than skills and performance. Look at the rule that a black candidate MUST be interviewed before hiring a new coach. That's racist in my opinion. Judge by merits, not skin color. Most people who preach "Unity" and "Diversity" are the people keeping race in front of everyone and are actually causing more of a separation and racial divide. I believe MOST people think about results more than race when it comes to sports, employment, anything else. But, when you are forced to look at skin colors to fulfill some artificial quota, it brings race to the forefront in your mind and in your daily life when it probably would've been overlooked before.

[WillH]

Originally Posted by Buster

Just worrying or thinking about "diversity" is racist in a way, it is still viewing people by the skin colors and even setting unfair quotas that make skin color more important than skills and performance. Look at the rule that a black candidate MUST be interviewed before hiring a new coach. That's racist in my opinion. Judge by merits, not skin color. Most people who preach "Unity" and "Diversity" are the people keeping race in front of everyone and are actually causing more of a separation and racial divide. I believe MOST people think about results more than race when it comes to sports, employment, anything else. But, when you are forced to look at skin colors to fulfill some artificial quota, it brings race to the forefront in your mind and in your daily life when it probably would've been overlooked before.

This is not entirely true. The fact is white hisghschool graduates on average make the same income as black COLLEGE GRADS!!!

There is still a racial divide in this country, and people are still making professional decisions based on race rather then qualification.

I think professional sports is a unique spectrum within which race is not considered when evaluating a prospect...So if McNabb wants to bitch about race he should be looking out for his fellow AA's and complain about racial inequality in the workplace, and consider himself lucky to be talented enough at football to not have to face the cruel reality of the working world in todays america.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by WillH

This is not entirely true. The fact is white hisghschool graduates on average make the same income as black COLLEGE GRADS!!!

There is still a racial divide in this country, and people are still making professional decisions based on race rather then qualification.

I think professional sports is a unique spectrum within which race is not considered when evaluating a prospect...So if McNabb wants to bitch about race he should be looking out for his fellow AA's and complain about racial inequality in the workplace, and consider himself lucky to be talented enough at football to not have to face the cruel reality of the working world in todays america.

Well said.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by WillH

This is not entirely true. The fact is white hisghschool graduates on average make the same income as black COLLEGE GRADS!!!

There is still a racial divide in this country, and people are still making professional decisions based on race rather then qualification.

I think professional sports is a unique spectrum within which race is not considered when evaluating a prospect...So if McNabb wants to bitch about race he should be looking out for his fellow AA's and complain about racial inequality in the workplace, and consider himself lucky to be talented enough at football to not have to face the cruel reality of the working world in todays america.

Wow, this is possibly one of the best posts I have seen all year. Well said WillH.

[SmootSmack]

I think that McNabb is definitely at a disadvantage because he plays in Philadelphia, not so much because of his race. But, like Skinsfan69 says, we're not in his shoes. I think it's a somewhat convenient crutch for him, but still.

But more than race or the god forsaken fans he has to play for, I think McNabb is starting to become aware of his football mortality, and the Eagles are doing him no favors.

McNabb is obviously not fully healthy from his knee injury, and the Eagles have a bunch of #2/#3 (at best) wide receivers in Curtis, Brown, and Baskett. Their best player on offense is, without question, Westbrook.

Yet, as often seems to be the case since Reid and McNabb hooked up nearly a decade ago, the Eagles put all the focus and pressure on McNabb and the passing game (46 passing plays to 20). If I'm McNabb, I'd say "enough of this" and demand a trade to a city that respects me, to a team that understands my physical limitations at this point, and to a coach that will help me out by using the running game.

[dgack]

Originally Posted by Buster

Judge by merits, not skin color. Most people who preach "Unity" and "Diversity" are the people keeping race in front of everyone and are actually causing more of a separation and racial divide. I believe MOST people think about results more than race when it comes to sports, employment, anything else. But, when you are forced to look at skin colors to fulfill some artificial quota, it brings race to the forefront in your mind and in your daily life when it probably would've been overlooked before.

You'd actually be wrong in the sense that it's been proven pretty clearly that while most people *believe* they don't see race, age, sex when they look at someone, the fact is that there are all kinds of inherent and built-up unconscious biases that distort that stated desire to be objective.

There are online tests you can take which reveal this, and I must warn you that it's somewhat uncomfortable to realize you are not nearly as unbiased as you'd like to think you are. The important thing to realize is that the mechanisms that create these biases are in most cases not something a person has consciously chosen. They have to do with media, cultural biases, pressure to fit within perceived societal norms, etc.

If you all are interested in links, I can dig some up. I recommend the book "Blink" if you're really curious, it's a great read.

The takeaway for me in all of this is that Donovan is probably correct to a certain degree that there are biases that affect a typical NFL fan's mind with regards to a black quarterback. However, he doesn't address the fact that those same biases might affect a typical NFL fan's mind with regards to a white running back or (as others here have pointed out) a speedy white receiver (White Lightning, as it were).

And, realistically the problem with him bringing this up is that he's doing so from a position of weakness in a city known for eating its young and beloved if they falter. Had he made these comments right after winning the NFC championship or Super Bowl, or in another context, they might not seem like cop-outs.

I think the paraphrasing quote from Doug Williams was the best thing in this thread. While everyone has biases, and sometimes those biases affect views and decisions, most folks don't consciously choose to consider a player's race until it's shoved in their face.

Choosing to allow yourself to be defined by the color of your skin can only limit you in what you can accomplish and how you're perceived. Ever notice how nobody really focuses on the fact Tiger Woods' ethnicity anymore, despite the fact that golf is basically an old white man's game? It's because he refuses to allow that to define him.

[WillH]

McNabbs an idiot for saying this crap.
I used to think of him as a classy guy, and at times I can see what he means by being criticized as a black qb, but those instences come from ignorant INDIVIDUALS, and make up a very small minority. And when those ignorant people say these racist things they are criticized, and even sometimes fired.

Yes people for a long time fought to keep black athletes out of white leagues, and in the past there has been a stigma that suggests that qb is a "white position." And yes Donovan there are still racists in america... but it doesn't pervade the culture at large, and to take that on as part of your identity sets this country back, all races...

Do america a favor and show some class or shut the fu@# up!

[Dirtbag59]

I see McNabb leaving Philly next year for Chicago or Atlanta (my bets on Chicago).

[steveo395]

Here is what Limbaugh said. It wasn't even that bad.

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well,'' Limbaugh said. "There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

ESPN.com: GEN - Limbaugh resigns from ESPN

[Cowell]

I agree if McNabb doesn't shape up in the next couple weeks I think they should try there hand at their rookie QB Kolb.

[#56fanatic]

what was it that Rush Limbaugh said that got him fired? I know it was about McNabb, but isn't what McNabb is saying convenient or OK for him, but somehow got Limbaugh fired. I dont recall what RL said, but maybe someone here can remember.

[steveo395]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

what was it that Rush Limbaugh said that got him fired? I know it was about McNabb, but isn't what McNabb is saying convenient or OK for him, but somehow got Limbaugh fired. I dont recall what RL said, but maybe someone here can remember.

Didn't he say that the media was afraid to criticize him because he was black or something like that

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

what was it that Rush Limbaugh said that got him fired? I know it was about McNabb, but isn't what McNabb is saying convenient or OK for him, but somehow got Limbaugh fired. I dont recall what RL said, but maybe someone here can remember.

He didn't say anything about McNabb. He was talking about the media and their propping up of certain individuals LIKE McNabb even when they're not statistically because they want to a black QB to succeed.

THEN, the media jumped on him and caused him a racist to get him fired because he criticized them.

Even if you don't like him, you have to admit he's right. Look at baseball with the constant Latino celebrations. Take the HR derby a few years ago, they chose Latino hitters only from different Latin American countries instead of taking the best hitters who would put on the best show.

Pro sports and the media (especially ESPN) always make race into stories to promote certain athletes.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Buster

Pro sports and the media (especially ESPN) always make race into stories to promote certain athletes.

I know it's cool to bash ESPN, but you really have no basis for what you just said there. ESPN doesn't make race into stories. That's not even debatable.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Buster

He didn't say anything about McNabb. He was talking about the media and their propping up of certain individuals LIKE McNabb even when they're not statistically because they want to a black QB to succeed.

THEN, the media jumped on him and caused him a racist to get him fired because he criticized them.

Even if you don't like him, you have to admit he's right. Look at baseball with the constant Latino celebrations. Take the HR derby a few years ago, they chose Latino hitters only from different Latin American countries instead of taking the best hitters who would put on the best show.

Pro sports and the media (especially ESPN) always make race into stories to promote certain athletes.

But Rush' comments were wrong. He basically said that McNabb was overrated and the defense carried the team. That is just a ridicules statement. He got his team to 3 or 4 straight NFC Champ. games and a SB??? With average to below WR's ??? C'mon! If Jason Campbell does that we all would be kisssing his ass too.

McNabb has thrown waaaaaaay more TD's then Int's. Without question when he is healthy he is a very very good NFL qb. Just ask NFL defensive coordinators. I doubt they would say he is overrated.

I did not have a problem with Rush saying the media wants blacks to do well. If he feels that way fine. Just back it up with an accurate statement. In this case it was simply not accurate.