On Tuesday, an interview with Donovan McNabb aired on HBO. In the interview McNabb made comments that black NFL quarterbacks "have to do a little bit extra" and "people didn't want us to play this position."
Ironically, the Eagles are off to an 0-2 start and Donovan has not looked like the QB we are used to. McNabb's comments seem to be out of frustration. When a QB gets flack from his hometown fans it's because he's playing lousy, not because he is black. McNabb's QB rating this season (68.8) is 16 points below his career average (84.8).
Does Rex Grossman constantly come under fire because he's white, or because he fumbles away every other game? Peyton Manning has taken a ton of heat in recent years because he couldn't win the big one. That same heat was also given to McNabb because he led his team to so many NFC Championship games and the one Super Bowl, yet without winning it all. McNabb may also come under more fire than others when he plays bad because Philadelphia is one of the toughest sports towns to play in.
Black QB of the Washington Redskins, Jason Campbell doesn't agree with McNabb's comments. See full story.
I'll agree that at one time many were very skeptical of a quarterback that ran all the time, which of course, was introduced along with the black quarterbacks (Randall Cunningham). However, that's a fair question. A rushing quarterback has yet to lead his team to a Super Bowl championship, with the exception of Steve Young. Doug Williams doesn't count, he had -2 yards rushing in the Super Bowl he led the Redskins to. So yes, in that respect black quarterbacks did come under fire back in the 80's and 90's. Yet, now they are embraced...look at how NFL fans loved to watch the athleticism of Michael Vick. Over the last 10 years we loved watching Duante Culpepper, Vince Young and McNabb.
I'll agree that at one time many were very skeptical of a quarterback that ran all the time, which of course, was introduced along with the black quarterbacks (Randall Cunningham). However, that's a fair question. A rushing quarterback has yet to lead his team to a Super Bowl championship, with the exception of Steve Young. Doug Williams doesn't count, he had -2 yards rushing in the Super Bowl he led the Redskins to. So yes, in that respect black quarterbacks did come under fire back in the 80's and 90's. Yet, now they are embraced...look at how NFL fans loved to watch the athleticism of Michael Vick. Over the last 10 years we loved watching Duante Culpepper, Vince Young and McNabb.
The criticism has always been about winning with a mobile quarterback, not what color they were. Yes, the two may be connected, but that's life! Here is a list of the quarterbacks from the last 20 years.
- Peyton Manning
- Ben Roethlisberger
- Tom Brady
- Brad Johnson
- Trent Dilfer
- Kurt Warner
- John Elway
- Brett Favre
- Troy Aikman
- Steve Young (mobile QB)
- Mark Rypien
- Joe Montana
- Jeff Hostetler
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