This whole Donovan black quarterback issue has taken on a life of its own. I keep reading about why Donovan felt the need to bring up race. How clear can I make this:
He did not bring up race, he was asked a question and he answered it honestly. Why is this even a big deal? It’s his opinion, and I’d go so far as to say who cares if he thinks that? What difference does it make to anyone? It’s only inflammatory because the media makes it so.
I love Profootballtalk.com, but Mr. Florio is missing the boat on this one. He, and most of the media, is referring to quotes by guys like Jason Campbell and Vince Young to get their opinions on this subject, and it’s just not the same.
So what’s different? These guys came into the league years later and McNabb was one of the big reasons that they may not feel the same heat. Sure there was Doug Williams, Randall Cunningham and Warren Moon (and of course the Willie Throwers and James Harris’s), and they took even more racial nonsense than any black quarterback today. But you can’t tell me the climate in the NFL for black QB’s is the same for Jamarcus Russell today as it was in 1999 when Donovan entered the league. Doesn’t seem that long ago, but it is.
Here is a telling story, I was at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in early 2002 for business. Canton, Ohio, as you may or may not know, isn’t far from Cleveland. I was talking to an influential member of the Hall of Fame with knowledge of the situation about the Browns taking Tim Couch with the first pick in the 1999 draft. At this point, the Eagles were playing the Bears the following day in the playoffs, and it was clear that McNabb was a better QB than Couch. Remember that the Browns were just re-entering the league in 1999 and were essentially an expansion team. So I asked him what they liked about Couch on Draft Day, and because I can’t remember his response verbatim I won’t quote him directly.
He told me that the Browns wanted a white guy to be the face of their franchise as they re-launched the team. Please read that again. According to my source (who I don’t doubt for a minute), they made a multi-million dollar decision based on race.
I’m not making this up. And he said this knowing that this shouldn’t be an issue. He didn’t say it in a racist way, but more in a factual way. He kind of rolled his eyes in a “that’s not right, huh?” type of manner.
This is what Donovan was dealing with in 1999. If you want a quote from a black QB that is equivalent to Donovan, then ask Steve McNair, who was the third pick in 1995. He would have more of an idea of what Donovan is talking about. Ask Daunte Culpepper. The success of these QB’s helped ease the stress on the VY’s and Jason Campbell’s, so don’t tell me that these guys all have had equal experiences. Donovan’s journey to NFL 2007 was different from the new guys.
And another thing, people are assuming that Donovan was talking about media scrutiny. He never said that specifically. Sure, that’s part of it. But, part of the problem in this whole argument is that intelligent people are discussing it. Let me explain.
Media members – and I know it often seems the contrary with some of them – are educated. They aren’t low-life dregs with backward-thinking brains. The overwhelming majority (and I’m talking about sports media, not Rush Limbaugh or Bill O’Reilly) are going to judge someone on their character, not their skin color. So to them, this seems like an outrage that Donovan would think this. Well, forget about the media for a second, what about the fans?
Let’s use my local pub as an example. It’s filled with everyday Joe’s who buy tickets and watch all the NFL games. Let me tell you how often I hear the n-word. Constantly. I’ve been told that the Eagles will never be good until they get a white quarterback (now there’s some insightful NFL talk for you). I’ve heard that Donovan is no good because he’s a stupid you-know-what. I hear it constantly. How do I even respond to that nonsense? The black QB issue is non-existent when dealing with forward-thinking individuals. Well here’s a thought: There is a huge number of ticket-buying, game-watching NFL fans who think that you need a white QB to win. They are morons and they exist in large quantities.
So, should Donovan have spoken out about this? In hindsight, probably not, but not because he’s right or wrong. It’s just incited a bunch of people to take even more aim at him. People haven’t walked in your shoes, Donovan. They aren’t going to get it. I admit that I don’t completely get it. How could I possibly fully understand? I’m a stupid white guy that sits behind a computer all day. Of course, these are all just my theories that you may or may not agree with. Except the Tim Couch part, that’s a true story.
micahw@feverpitchmedia.com
