Do black QB sface more criticism then white QBs?

Question

Donovan McNabb is right — black QBs do face more criticism. The surprise, says Jason Whitlock, is where it's coming from. McNabb simply stated the obvious in the most inoffensive way possible. McNabb's comments were not angry, defiant or whiny. I believe McNabb, more than any black quarterback who has played the game, understands all of the obstacles facing a black "franchise" quarterback. You see, many of the roadblocks standing before a black QB are placed there by other African-Americans. Stick with me, let me explain. There is no doubt that racism has been a factor in the level and the intensity of criticism thrown at McNabb since the day the Eagles drafted him. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and head coach Andy Reid have failed to properly support McNabb. The one year they provided McNabb with a legitimate No. 1 receiver (Terrell Owens), he threw 31 TDs and just nine interceptions and led the Eagles to within a field goal of winning Super Bowl XXXIX

Lurie got away with being cheap because Donovan's young legs compensated for lack of playmakers in the passing game and a mediocre offensive line. McNabb — injured 3 of the last 5years — has been used up and the Eagles are preparing to spit him out (drafting Kevin Kolb) primarily because the Eagles did not give him the kind of support Peyton Manning, and Carson Palmer received in Indianapolis, and Cincinnati, respectively. McNabb has their talent, their work ethic and their intellect for the game. He's never received their support.And the lack of support isn't just from ownership, fans, or media . As best exemplified during the Owens fiasco, McNabb was sold out by many of his black teammates. This is the uncomfortable truth that we want to ignore. mcnabb is good as it gets. He comes from a great home, wonderful, dignified parents. He's carried himself with class through a ton of adversity. He's a winner. He's exactly what we claim we want athletes to be. somehow that's not good enough.

And you think there's not more criticism heaped on black quarterbacks?

Answer 1

Blacks face more criticism than whites period. What society do you live in?

Answer 2

I think the whole accusation that black quarterbacks are treated with more criticism than whites is absolute nonsenses. I have not been a fan of McNabb, but I have respected him through the last few years with all he has had to endure. That respect wavered some with these bogus claims, and once again the race card being used with no good justification.

Do I think that the Eagles have let him down by not getting the supporting cast that he needs, and other top quality quarterbacks have? That is absolutely the case here, and that was made evident by their draft choice, Kolb. Is that a racial issue, or a team not supporting their quarterback? Survey says the latter rather than the former. Let me echo what everyone else has said before me. Go talk to Eli Manning, Rex Grossman, Peyton Manning (Before this last season), Tim Couch, Jon Kitna (In Cincinnati), Drew Brees, Jake Plummer, Kurt Warner, and ask them about criticism as well. All of them have faced extreme criticism at one phase or another in their career. Also talk to Kerry Collins after he helped take them to a Super Bowl. Cities like New York and Philadelphia are very tough on their players. Just talk to the Yankees and Phillies as well, they'll agree.

I am SO sick and tired of the race card, and wish that the black community would join together to get past it. That is one of the main reasons that racism still exists because it's too convenient for too many high class blacks to use as an excuse for anything they see fit for it to work. Is what McNabb is facing racially motivated? Hell no!

Answer 3

Sounds more like sour grapes than anything else. McNabb's comments were made before they lost to Washington, but to have them air now makes him sound whiny. This is not the 1970s or even the early 80s. McNabb is upset because of exactly what you just said: the Eagles aren't providing him with anyone on offense to throw it to. Peyton Manning has had all kinds of criticism as well as other QBs who are white especially from faux-media types like Skip Bayless. All the criticism about not being able to win the big one was squashed after last season. Also, McNabb's 2 examples yesterday of Steve Young and Jake Plummer make him look foolish because both Young and had tons of obstacles. Young didn't start a full season until he was 31 and was a USFL refugee and Plummer had to endure all kinds of scrutiny before finally getting benched and basicall being retired by the Broncos when they chose to go with rookie Jay Cutler.

Answer 4

Maybe. The thing I don't like about McNabb's statement is the timing. If he is out there 2-0 right now with 7 TDs and 700 yards and he comes out and says that then your like "This guy could have a point." But when you come out 0-2 having missed what like 13 games in the last 2 seasons?
Of course the Eagles drafted a QB. They would be remiss if the hadn't.
If Peyton Manning or Tom Brady had injuries that took them away from their teams 13 games in 2 seasons do you think they would be getting criticized? Heck yeah!
How did Brady get his job in the first place?
He got it because Bledsloe got injured.
Sure the media criticizes McNabb but he also gets mad support from them at other times.
And the only Black QB I see getting criticized are McNabb and Vick. Does Vick deserve the criticism he got? Vick has been in trouble since he came in the league but since he is in Atlanta (a predominately black city) they let him slide.
Mcnabb is in Philly, where they love a winner and crucify losers. If McNabb played in Green Bay his outlook would be totally different.

Answer 5

first enable me say that black n white qbs arent any different. the only difference is there are 3 or 4 cases as many white qbs commencing in the nfl then black. so some distance as working all of the time it isnt r fault that maximum os us have been given the present of mobility. B4 there become a michael vick or a mcnabb there become steve youthful and doug flutie. Even Roger Staubach become a great scrambler. Infact Tom Landry notably much traded him cuz he didnt like the way he might improvise. Black and white it doesnt remember given the oppertunity n e a million can be helpful in spite of race. Isnt it loopy how a pair years in the past no a million needed a black head coach. HMMMMMM werent there 2 black head coaches in the great bowl

Answer 6

I think you are missing the point of what he is saying. The situation doesn't have to deal with the Eag;es organization, simply how the media and some fans view black QB's. It was worse 5-10 years ago, but still exists a bit today. It also has a lot to do with the fact thta he lives in Philly and the sport's writers attack him quite a bit, but every Phila. QB goes through that. I'll tell you where racism is painfully evident with black QB's, When you hear an analyst talk about a black QB, they always have to compare them to another black QB (Vince Young is like Michael Vick, Jason Campbell is like Donovan, Donovan is like Randall Cunningham), and you never really see any black QB's compared to white QB's (McNabb to Steve Young, etc.) or Vice Versa (Mike McMahon to Tavaris Jackson). If thes knucklheads could recognize they do this we would be in better shape

Answer 7

Why don't you ask Rex Grossman, Ryan Leaf, Joey Harrington, or Chad Pennington That same question ! And as for race playing a factor in the draft ??? Thats just ignorant ! They choose a QB in the first round who they think is the best but in an evil plot to destroy the team they dont get anyone to help him ! And, philly fans only booed him because they wanted the team to draft ricky williams #1 overall ! Do you really believe that all teams out there have an allstar # 1 reciever on their roster ? Atlanta ? Jacksonville? Oakland ? Just to name a few .So lets all shed a tear for Donovan cause hes not playing well ! Im not a Vince Young fan bieng a trojan fan but i gained alot of respect for him when they interviewed him and he said "No, i believe QB's in general face criticism " Thats a real football player !

Answer 8

As a black man who's not an Eagles fan but has always liked McNabb, I can't say I agree with him here... I honestly think we've reached a point now where we don't see black quarterbacks, we just see quarterbacks. And when I think of quarterbacks facing extreme scrutiny these days, I think of Rex Grossman, Eli Manning and, until he quit, Jake Plummer, none of whom are black.

Answer 9

I hate to disagree but I do. I dont think it is a black/white issue with qb's... Its all about performance and McNabb is simply not performing. WInning 1 of his last 7 starts will get any QB black/white/purple/or blue critized. McNabb is starting to feel heat from the Eagle fans and is using his "black card" as a way of dealing with it. You hear all the time how "white" QB's are not performing and it isnt becuase they are white. Pennington, Grossman, Eli Manning in New York. Quite simply it is not if your black or white it is how you perform!!

Answer 10

I think quarterbacks face criticism based on performance, historically white quarterbacks have been more successful than black quarterbacks, but guys like Grossman and Eli get at least as much criticism as McNabb, so its not that they get more criticism for being black...

Answer 11

stop turning this into a race issue. i lost all respect for mcnabb when i heard him say that. im sick of people playing the race card. get over it im sick of this. whether or not they are dosent matter as long as they perform on the field. whether or not i respect him i still think he is a great athlete and so is vince young. i dont judge people by their race i judge how well they play on the field and how well they overcome adversity.