Guess I’m a bit late on this discussion but my 2 cents: I don’t think it has to do with race, ability, that black QB’s aren’t smart enough to read defences (which I don’t think is true) or anything like that. I think in some respects black QB’s when they get to the NFL become victims of their own athletic ability.

Most black quarterbacks are like black athletes in general in NA sports..they have superior athletic talent related to speed and agility. As such, when growing up and through college they rely on this talent because it is successful and their teams want to win. it works in college and it works in the CFL where there have been many successful black QB’s who have won championships. They will use their legs as much as their arm because it wins football games in these systems and at these levels.

However, it historically hasn’t worked in the NFL because the defences at such an elite level also possess the similar levels of speed and agility. There is generally only one asset that has been proven to consistently win in the NFL: the ability to throw the ball accurately down the field. Most white QB’s have been forced to develop this skill their whole life, and some successful black QB’s in the same mould like Doug Williams and Warren Moon, not because of their skin colour but because they don’t/didn’t possess the ability to rely on their legs.

Furthermore, look at Deshaun Watson who before he got hurt was one of the top QB’s in the NFL this year. He does have the ability to run and scramble which is certainly an asset, but he has made himself into a pass first QB..and the proof is in the pudding: this year before he got hurt he was one of the elite passers in the league and an MVP candidate. So I think for there to be more black QB’s that are successful in the NFL (which they are completely capable of), they will have to look at guys like Williams, Moon, Watson, Randall Cunningham particularly later in his career, and to a lesser extent Russell Wilson in terms of developing the talents they need to win in this particular league..and that is focus on consistently and accurately throwing the ball downfield and only using their legs as a secondary or tertiary option. The conundrum though is getting their college coaches to cooperate or reigning in their own ability at lower levels of competition to focus on looking down field when they see holes they know they can run through.

u didn’t even readet alone proably understand it, you just decided to get offended, maybe you want to be heard? maybe life isnt fair? go march with the single middle aged women who dont even know who first president was or when football was invented. just bunch of babies.

Like you said brute force matters less in white-dominated positions and whites are the majority of the population. It’s not far stretched to believe that this is the true reason of what blacks are slightly less over-represented on those positions. Implying racism is intellectually dishonest, I cannot see how American sports can be racist when their sports are dominated by a racial minority of 12.5%. If there were more even more blacks people will abandon the sport.

Weakling= Matt

Obv.

Thank you. You’re the only person here with common sense

None, they aren’t capable.

How many women QB’s are there?

I agree, but I think certain people are given an advantage.

Why does EVERYTHING have to be about race???????? The fact is, as Lex so eloquently posted, it has nothing to do with race. It has to do with ability. The NFL owners really could care less what “race” you are. If you are good you will play. As far as cranium size, I look at about ten different web sites. Half said blacks were slightly larger and half said whites were slightly larger. Let the racist crap cease.

Carlos, bro, from one hispanic to another: shut up and take your sht elsewhere, you fkng keyboard warrior.

AND

White

You can play QB in the NFL.

The numbers are MUCH more astonishing in FBS historically for those 2 factors.

Thus its not racism per se, completely. LOL

GROUP 1
Matt Barkley
Matt Schaub
Matt Cassel
Matt Simms
Matt Flynn
Blaine Gabbert
Jimmy Claussen
Brandon Weeden
Ryan Mallett
Brandon Weeden
Austin Davis

GROUP 2
Nick Foles
Sam Bradford
Johnny Manziel
Bryan Hoyer
Josh McCown
Mike Glennon
Luke McCown

GROUP 3
Mark Sanchez
Robert Griffin
Geno Smith

Right on.

So Matt , I’m Hispanic , and we make up 17
Percent of the population , yet less than 1 percent of the NFL . Yet you don’t hear me
Crying racist .

You must be one of those white guilt dudes that makes all the excuses he can for black people .

You have become such a kisser of
Black asses that you are racist to everybody not black .

Dude , I bet your friends , family and girlfriend
Laugh behind your back because you have no balls , self respect or dignity .
If you caught a black man dicking your old lady down , you would probably give them both high fives pinche lambiculo !!!

And don’t even talk back to me , or respond because on the street id smack those curls off your chubby head puto !!

Nice bro!

Nice!

Lex, being a Hispanic, one would assume you’d be more sensitive to racism and oppression.

The blog is talking about the root of oppression. Football is most popular in the south, the south has the most inherent and ingrained racism against blacks, so coaches of the youth of this sport are instinctively (based on social molding and traditions) choosing to put their white athletes in a position of power/decision making.

So your result is more trained white quarterbacks, centers, etc. If you haven’t had the play time or opportunity to train in a position….. You’re not going to be able to compete as well…. Period.

Oppression is a real thing that influences everyone daily. Of course by college/nfl it’s a business and players are picked based on skill/performance. But identifying trends and roots of oppression is important so that we start thinking about why trends exist in the first place.

Have you ever been to the south? I live in Louisiana. I am a white female. I have hundreds of stories about blatant racism primarily against blacks. I also have seen oppression of Hispanics, and women, etc. Open your mind…. These stats and this blog is making an interesting point. 🙂

That said- all love Lex. Be the change.

typically black people giving excuses. Black quarterbacks are not typically smart enough to sit in the pocket and read the defences then make the throws. hence why 90 percent of black are scramblers.

I bet you wouldn’t say that with your real name.

Very good points.

I THINK YOU GOT IT. Way to go.

Totally agree.

...


The reason why there are no more white wide receivers, linebackers, safeties, and others … is because black players are the majority in the game.
Very simple, right?
That’s why, it is only reasonable to have a majority of black QBs.
It is not a rocket science, it is just a game.

The coach and QB position is still politics in this country.
It is who the [white] club owners trust.

When it comes to popularity World wide, there is no comparison between Basketball and [American] Football.
Basketball wins hands down.
But, in the US, many whites (especially old) are staying away from even watching basketball because it is dominated by black players in every position.
That’s why white America will make sure that the majority of QBs stay whites.

There was a time when football was all whites.
There was a time when All QBs were all whites.
Slowly, but surely, the majority of QBs will be black.

I’m afraid, when that happens, football will be declared [by people like WOB] as brain damaging game and should not be played anymore.

By the way, the NBA and many other sports are dominated by blacks because that’s all what black kids can control growing up.
“Play the game, develop, excel, stay out of troubles, and you will get a college scholarship and probably make it to the pro.”

As a black engineer, I guarantee to you that one day, whites will be the majority in the NBA, NFL, and all other sports.
Black players will be around 13%, only.
But, for that to happen:
– 13% of US engineers have to be blacks.
– 13% of US CEOs have to be blacks.
– 13% of US millionaires have to be blacks.

The only reason that I worked so hard in high school in football/basketball/baseball is to get an Athlete scholarship in GT school of Engineering.
I had no whatsoever interest in going pro in any sport.

My parents would never ever come close to just afford the books that needed by Engineering school.
None of my relatives (including my parents) encouraged me to be a doctor or engineer. Even thou, deep inside them, that was what they wanted.

Yes, it is a culture thing.

Until all American citizens enjoy the same [and only one American] culture, black will dominate sports.

Just look at how pathetic is the status of America’s Tennis in general.
If not of Serena and Venus Williams, America would have nothing to say in Tennis. Nevertheless, instead of being celebrated, look at how the Williams sisters are vilified in the internet [by some whites] – to the degree that they are accused of being men!!!

Every time Serena [or Venus] looses a Tennis match I say to myself: I understand …. you are only human.

Well there is a bit of a history there, no?

I appreciate your comments and that is a reasonable factor that should be taken into account. Feel free to read some newer articles I wrote on race as well. Thanks!

Matt, there are hundreds of studies depicting the same IQ numbers that he listed. I think its a fair argument that the current means of determining IQ are slanted in favor of individuals of certain races due to the class discrepancy in this country but to state the statistics aren’t there is incorrect.

Anyway, back to the original question. I do no know know anything about you or your blog but was asked by a friend to give my opinion on the matter. As a mixed race male who played football in Texas, I think you bring up some valid points but are delusional to believe that racist coaching is the primary reason there aren’t more black quarterbacks. There are, unquestionably, racist head coaches out there who would never have a black qb. There are also coaches who subconsciously would start a white QB over a black QB because of the stereotypes but those two types of coaches such a small percentage of coaches that the effect on the initial question is minimal.

Without making this too long, I think you fail to realize what makes a good quarterback. A strong arm, athleticism and a high IQ certainly help but its far more complex than that. Whether you are willing to accept this or not(im thinking not) but class plays a major role in prevalence of white quarterbacks. Go to the alleged racist football super powers in Texas and you will notice a common theme among the starting quarterbacks: They are from middle to upper class families, have been going to QB camps since they were 4 and have countless hours logged with coaches on their footwork, release, etc. Individuals from lower class families typically aren’t going to be doing these types of things. There are obviously exceptions to this as we have all heard of kids coming from nothing and excelling at QB with little experience but those cases are certainly note the norm.

Take a look at current NFL QBs and their respective backgrounds for further examples. The vast majority have been playing QB most of their lives and have received extensive coaching for the QB position from a young age. Cam and RG3 also fit that mold, but most blacks do not.

Oh so you’re a Jewish fat bald insecure fuck with a superiority complex. Too bad you didn’t use your real name. Where did you get those stats? Not real stats . com ?

While researching a lambaste against what I call IQ-Wannabees I found this research into IQ and ethnic background…

Highest IQ… Jewish 104-108
Real close… Asian 103-109
Caucasian… 102
African American… 85

Several studies agree almost point for point.

Now, opinion. That is the reason for the quarterback position slant in racial makeup.

And the Leader.

I’m talking about one position being predominantly white in a league that’s predominantly black. This position is considered the most important in football, and the person playing it is considered more or less the smartest dude on the team.

That’s my conflict.

As you mentioned blacks are far and away the dominant race in the NFL and even more so in the NBA. Why? Don’t white guys want to be rich and famous?

Considering there are 4 to 5 times as many whites as blacks in the US this dominance of blacks in the NBA and NFL doesn’t make sense.

Fuck yourself

Get em Matt!!!

You just dropped the mic on this post!!! One of the BEST verbal smackdowns ever!!!

Excellent comment Nick!!!

It’s not racist to observe what you see.

You sir are a gentleman and a scholar

In Rugby, there is no racial profiling. At wing or fullback positions, you can find a lot of white players. Some white players in Rugby are fastest than mostly wide receivers in NFL. I think about Tom Evans, Gehrard Van den Heever… Watch soccer too; and if u mention top 10 of fastest players u mention Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Arjen Robben. There is not a big difference between black and white players. Black players are more present in the winger position to other positions but the difference is slight.

I didn’t notice any difference between Whites, Blacks or Pacific Islanders players.

So when i saw there are no white players in RB or any defense positions (except a limited presence in DL or LB, i was very surprising because i know a lot of white players in rugby they could be excellent nfl players in HB or defense positions.

Another exemple : Daniel Adongo was LB with Colts. With Blue Bulls and in Super XV, he sucks and naturally didn’t play. A lot of white players was superior than him physically and athlecally. Bakkies Botha, Victor Matield, Juandre Kruger, etc… but strangely Adongo had a nfl contract.

So I think non black players are victims of racial profiling and racials stereotypes in USA. Black athletes are more fastest ? Overall it’s ok but this is not a determinism. If you take top 100 of 100m runners; you’ll see there is 15 non black runners (around 12 Whites, 2 Asians, 1 Arab); so how explain the fact that there is NONE non black players in CB ?

NFL is the only league with as much difference between Black, White, etc… Why ?

1. Probably because USA is invested with the correct policy (i heard NHL needs Blacks, MLB needs Blacks, NBA needs more Blacks Coach, NFL needs more Blacks Coach and QB… never NFL needs more Whites, Hispanics or Asians in defenec).

2. US Foot in itself. How scooters can they measure the skill in this sport so they cling on racial profiling.

Turning to author, i find it amusing that accuses the NFL of being racist against blacks. I note that for this kind of anti racist (which actually represents racism in this century) it will never be enough. So Blacks People are 13%; there is 21% of Blacks in QB; it’s not enough.

However, i notice the fact that a large part of QB are Blacks in recent years because QB is becoming an another HB. But the QB reference still Brady, Manning, Brees… old quarterbacks who do not find their successors; same for LB; this is the worts generation.

So yes; NFL is an anti white league and the phenomenon is encouraged by racist shouting anti racism (you and Caroline for exemple) because there would be too many whites among Patriots or QB.

How in holy fuck is that Matt getting his ass kicked in a comment? That was a meaningless screed that concluded that white people have a greater capacity for remember complex plays and making decision, and that black people can run and jump. First…there was ZERO evidence offered (and in any case, the couple numbers bandied about didn’t even demonstrate the point), and second, this is LITERALLY the same fucking plantation trash bullshit ideology taken out of the fields and applied to sports. “Black people are meant to work in the fields because of their heat tolerance and stamina and white people are meant to order them around and eat the fruits of their labor because whites are innately more intelligent and better leaders.” FUCK you, you fat fucking 64-oz soda guzzling hillbilly cum hound. You are so fucking retarded you can’t even see that it’s the same tired argument that’s been fucking beaten up for a hundred years. And for the asshole below insisting that black people have lower IQs… well first I would ask you to explain to me what an IQ test is, how they work, and what are their strengths and weakness, just so I could demonstrate that you are a fucking nimrod pole bouncer. SO….IF, and thats a heavy heavy if, you can explain that you even understand the basics of what an IQ test measures and how, then I must implore you to answer: in the cases where what you say is true (and it is not everywhere), if you are going to quote numbers and stats, why are you neglecting to admit into evidence the numbers that show that IQ tests are not only incredibly culturally skewed, but affected by socioeconomic status and social environment to the tune of a number that MORE than compensates for your half-baked statistic. And before you move the goal posts and switch from an argument about innate intelligence to cultural inferiority, I might endeavor to point out that people in your own podunk (back room) cum gargling fry-oil mainlining home town suffer from the SAME disparity in IQ because you’re a bunch of poor undereducated hicks claiming that poor undereducated blacks are inferior to you. If we didn’t live in a society that multiplies stupid and poverty as if they were admirable traits, black kids could go back to being regular, intelligent, middle-class folks, the IQ disparity would magically disappear…and maybe…just maybe…your hick ass could rise above the noise to see how ignorant you are being.

Black kids growing up are normally the fastest players on the team, therefore coaches but them in skill positions like rb, wr, and db.

You missed the entire point of the article but that’s cool.

lol truth hurts doesn’t it?

Look, the average black man in America has an IQ 15-20 points less than the average white man in America. Genetics? Culture? Whatever it is, blacks are less-suited to be quarterback than whites. Simple as that.

He clearly understands Evolution. Why are you trying to dodge his question? It’s foolish to think that Evolution didn’t effect the brain and intelligence. Also, your claim that Blacks are naturally superior athletes is utterly false. MLB has a White majority. NHL is almost all White. Most of the Strongman competitors are White. The best soccer teams in the world are mostly White. The best swimmers in the World are White. The best skiers are White. I could go on… The mindset of “Black Athletic Supremacy” which has been beaten into American Children over the last twenty years is wrong. This mindset is present in the NFL and many White players face discrimination from White coaches because of it.

The NFL and its race whores PUSH black quarterbacks now like no tomorrow. 21% black quarterbacks is a LOT. Most are not even that good. And for sure that 21% will go UP dramatically. Meanwhile there has not been ONE white starting cornerback in the NFL in about 10 YEARS! Notice what major league baseball is doing promoting more black players? Why no push for more white players in football and basketball since white people LITERALLY keep these leagues going? Imagine hockey depending on black people to support it? This is what diversity does. It makes white people a permanent minority while swiping their money. I don’t care if HONEST attempts at giving jobs to people are TRULY based on merit. I do NOT remotely think that is what is going on in the NFL.. at ALL. And colleges are pushing the same crap now. Reality. Only white people are supposed to accept lower status with a smile but NO others?

Anytime blacks are not represented in something, suddenly the left wing nuts say something has to be done. But if whites are not represented, we get a big yawn. Meanwhile without whites supporting all these sports, the players would be making a hundred bucks a week.

The NFL has truly past the point now. All these coaches look for is basically a track meet. What about tackling, hitting, reading the defense, etc? Why can’t fullbacks even touch the ball today? White people are truly their own worst enemy so divided. Blacks are 100% in LOCK STEP with each other. As much as I like football, between all the politically correct BS promoted, the fact white players have been pushed out and the constant pre games and post games, I have reduced myself to one game now where before I would be like a zombie watching it more. I am sick of what I see from the league now.

I believe everyone is given a talent whether in sports, academic, etc. In the sports of football, there are many positions and each position requires a specific talent. If God gave African Americans excellent running abilities, be great full. If God gave caucasian americans excellent throwing abilities, be great full. And so on. These talents apply to any race, but often time not equally distributed. But be thankful and appreciative that you have a talent to get the job done and be successful. When you are successful, then you can help those who are less fortunate, or teach those to become successful, in a humble way

okay I accept that the first two or three sentences were racist but you got what I mean.

matt you’re a retard. just stfu with your stupid, simplistic comments.

darker than space*

Black people have bigger brain capacity, that’s why there are so many black civilizations that created such historical structure and cultures in sub-Saharan Africa. Name one African who has made a cure for any diseases. As a Hispanic I’m insulted to the reference your claiming. I’m sorry that is the most racist thing I have ever heard. They may have bigger brain cavities purely because they were breed bigger. The fact is that many African American quarterbacks, for whatever reason, Cannot preform as well as other types of quarterbacks. your telling me that these owners are intentionally not going after black quarterbacks because they’re racist. They don’t go after shitty quarterbacks period. they actually go out they’re way to sign black quarterbacks that amount to nothing. The only two quarterbacks that were black that I have seen done well are Michael vick and Donovan mcnabb, the latter of which didn’t use his running ability. But to infer that somehow the multi billion dollar industry of NFL will overlook someone because of they’re race is retarded. I cant tell you why black quarterbacks have limited success but they do. IF I was an NFL owner that found a kid who can make smart decisions and had a cannon arm I don’t give a flying Fuck if they’re then space, they’re quarterback. Its a business stupid.

But that’s the way the NFL wants to play it. Fine, but you can’t bury the truth forever — truth ALWAYS rises, and it’s just a matter of time until Michael Vick, Cam Newton, RGIII and the other greats in the League get a chance to play with DECENT teams and start beating the Tom Bradys, Peyton Mannings and Aaron Rodgers of the League — NONE of whom can win either without good protection and good players; THAT’s been proven.

Nobody is fooled by the RACISM being practiced in the NFL — pretending that these AWESOME black quarterbacks are not as good as they are, simply because they are DENIED protection and decent players on their team. Look what happened when when Russell Wilson ended up on a good team with decent protection — he made Peyton Manning look like a 3rd-string back-up quarterback. That is EXACTLY what the NFL is afraid of — they want to see no repeats of that scenario, so the Vicks, the Geno Smiths, the Cam Newtons, the RGIII’s of the League must suffer by not being allowed to play with good teams.

STAY STRONG Mike Vick, Geno Smith, Cam Newton, RGIII. We know it’s frustrating because you guys are used to winning. WE know you’re really the best in the League. One day you’ll be able to prove it, just as Russell Wilson did (although no one in sports media admitted that Russell was the best quarterback in the Super Bowl; they made a big fuss about the defense and ignored Russell’s good play for the most part). Don’t get discouraged, guys. I know that each of you knows exactly what’s going on, and you’re just pretending to play the game, right along with your coaches. (The NFL feels it must have its white “heroes”; they’re afraid of what might happen if the League turns into the NBA.)

The plight of black quarterbacks, so often denied the starting positions they deserved, has always been about much more than football.

James Harris was the first African-American to regularly start as quarterback in professional football, breaking through, in 1969, with the Buffalo Bills as a rookie out of Grambling State University. He had his finest years with the then-Los Angeles Rams in the mid-seventies. Yet after compiling a 21-6 record as a starter, taking the Rams twice to the N.F.C. championship, leading the conference twice in passing efficiency, being voted Pro Bowl M.V.P., and being selected team captain—after all of that, Harris watched as the Rams’ management brought in four white quarterbacks to try to unseat him, before finally trading him away to be a backup in San Diego.

Well, the cranial capacity thing is the complete opposite, actually. Blacks have the least capacity when it comes to skull structure, but that has absolutely nothing to do with intelligence. And to be honest, the mention of brain capacity is completely and utterly irrelevant and is contextual in no sense as to what’s going on.

I want to point out how no one finds it odd that 13% of the population make up over half the players, but find something wrong in there being not enough blacks in the one position whites dominate.

People will point out that blacks seem to be able to run faster, but when whites seem to be able to throw better, it’s racist.

What the fuck?

Pretty obvious you’re black…

Pretty obvious you’re black.

Such ignorance, pronouncing itself to be smarter.

Neither is Anthony.

sdk, I would argue that this is not as relevant as it used to be. None of this research was conducted within the past 25 years. Schools nowadays are becoming more and more segregated, meaning that any tracking differences will make very little difference:
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2014/05/brown_v_board_of_education_60th_anniversary_america_s_schools_are_segregating.html

What is telling is that primarily minority schools have a difficult time in finding qualified (Let alone exemplary) math & science teachers. Many major cities around the country have created special alternate-certification programs (NYC Teaching Fellows, Teach for America, etc.) just to get more qualified math & science teachers to teach at schools that no one wants to teach at (i.e. minority schools).

With a lot of the education debate zeroing in on teacher performance being the greatest factor to student success, it would fit the theory that young black kids aren’t being educated at the same level in terms of logical & critical thinking skills.

(http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Staffingstudents/Teacher-quality-and-student-achievement-At-a-glance/Teacher-quality-and-student-achievement-Research-review.html)

So, for a little bit of self-promotion, go support a math or science teacher! (www.donorschoose.org)

John,

In Engineering, blacks enroll about %5 of freshman Engineering majors although comprising 13% of all freshman.
http://www.nacme.org/publications/research_briefs/NACMEAfricanAmericansinEngineering.pdf

However, I think it is an irresponsible to draw conclusions about general intelligence from this.

As a high school teacher, I see first hand very many bright black kids who:
(1) aren’t pushed into Math & Science (compared to the pressure many Asian kids feel)
(2) don’t have many Math & Science heroes or family to look up to
(3) don’t have a very strong support network to make it through the rigors of Engineering school

And yet, the ones who are able to overcome these obstacles have succeeded wildly.

I don’t think having black NFL QBs is nearly as important of an issue, but I’d guess there are similar dynamics going on.

Matthew, comments like this are interpreted as “racist” because you appear to be uninformed about how “race” has benefitted (still benefits) us white people.

1 small example: With identical resumes, whites get called back for job interviews at a higher rate than whites:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/black-names-a-resume-burden/

Do a simple Google search for “white privilege” and you’ll find lots of things. We would be be sure to find lots of things we disagree with, but that’s the sign of a mature reader that we can take some truth from things that we don’t 100% agree with.

Why do you think a white QB (Peyton Manning) is so successful – on field & off? Hard work? yes! Physically gifted? Yes! Smart? Yes! I don’t think you would say these are white qualities. Perhaps, having a father (also white from the 1970s) who was an NFL QB helped! His brother has won 2 superbowls, and younger brother played college QB.

If Peyton’s dad makes a big difference with his on-field performance, why wouldn’t Peyton’s environment growing up make a difference in his off-field performance? Who was teaching Vince Young life lessons about how to successfully navigate the social & economic power structures in America? How many older mentors from Vince Young’s community weren’t oppressed and held out of those power structures?

David,
You blame the “college attitude” on black QBs. Who’s responsible for the college-attitude? What pro-style college programs actively recruit black QBs? At some point, we can’t just complain about pressure for racial equality in certain positions if nothing has ever been done (is being done) to remedy some of the awful things that have been done, and by inertia, perpetuate.

I’m with you that people shouldn’t get a spot bc of their skin color. I don’t want a black doctor operating on me because he’s black. I want him because he’s the best. But we should definitely be doing things to make sure black kids have the opportunities to develop into the best doctors or QBs as well. Disproportionate numbers indicate there may be a problem.

Don,

As a fellow commenter, I appreciate the thoughtfulness of your responses. Unfortunately, the author has not intention of having a serious discussion of the topic if he simply calls everyone a racist who provides him feedback.

I think this is a very valuable discussion to have, and the think the truth somehow lies somewhere in the middle of the two extremes represented on these threads.

In 2003, Annette Laureau published her research book “Unequal Childhoods” which concluded that parenting styles differed greatly between those from middle class backgrounds compared to working class. While Laureau explicitly claims that socio-economic status IS the determining factor, and not race, it is certainly true that blacks in America are still disproportionately represented econcomically.

My point: Statistically, many black players are growing up with different values. Particularly, many are growing up without the confidence of their middle-class counterparts, in dealing with organized play, confronting and manipulating the existing power structures of schools and teams.

I would love to see research done that examined, not race, but the economic backgrounds of NFL quarterbacks (or centers or TEs).

Is the lack of black NFL QBs bc of racist owners? I doubt it. I think the real problem is that there are not a proportional number of qualified black QBs. These mental positions take a lot more coaching/teaching/mentorship (see Peyton & Eli’s father Archie). All races from lower socio-economic statuses are at a disadvantage here.

Read the article again

I’m not black but as a proud quieter Irishman duck you

I’ve been to south central. What are you talking about? So you even know what you’re talking about. Facsimile

Yeah I can answer you easily. It’s very clear you don’t understand what evolution means. I’m not trying to sound pretentious but brush up on it and I’ll be happy to have the discussion

Thanks!

Check out Lewis Terman and the effects of intelligence testing on US schools in the 1920s. From the beginning, racism/classism was built into the tests, which led to tracking and ability grouping that put fresh immigrants (including Eastern and southern Europeans) and people of color in the dumb kid classes.

This is still largely the case today, unfortunately. People of color are overrepresented in low tracks and special Ed classes. So, even though people in poverty or who have been traditionally disadvantaged (people of color) are not inherently less intelligent than their privileged middle-class counterparts, they are definitely taught that they are inferior by nature of the broken education system.

When we rely on culturally and economically biased testing to define intelligence, we actually create real gaps in certain aspects of intelligence. Students who are on different tracks in school are challenged in different ways, so their minds learn to solve different types of problems with different levels of complexity. So, if two students go through school on different tracks, it’s actually possible that one will be “more intelligent” than the other because of their difference in education. When you factor in that school tracking falls along race and class lines, it becomes reasonable to say that adult NFL players often play racially predefined roles in some ways based on intelligence. If the QB position requires more complex reasoning skills and confidence than other positions, it would be easier to find a white middle-class player than a black lower class player who can handle the job not because of inherent differences, but because of how these two players were treated and challenged in school.

It is crucial to say that there is no inherent difference in intelligence among races. However, there can be differences in intelligence (by the way, no perfect definition of intelligence exists) where the school systems divide students by race and class and treat them differently.

You can read Jeannie Oakes, Paul Davis Chapman, or V.P. Franklin if you’re interested in more on these issues in education.

Some people are just racist.

Some people are obsessed with racism.

You say blacks are better athletes, and you seem to imply your agreement that this was caused by evolution. Do you believe in evolution in 2014? If yes, did whites evolve to be smarter and process complexities faster than blacks? Or did evolution stop at the neck, and all races are mentally equal but physically unequal?

If you seek equality, why do we not aspire to bring whites up to speed by funneling them into athletics, so that they may “catch up” to these superior blacks, who are equal in mind but superior in physical qualities?

Can you answer any of these questions without swearing or name-calling?

Yes possibly. Thanks.

Let’s look at some black QB’s in the NFL today. RG3 and Cam Newton are the first that come to mind. Both of these guys are athletic specimens. Through high school and college they dominated due to sheer athletic ability. But in the NFL, everyone is extremely athletic, and to be a successful quarterback you have to be able to be a good passer. Newton and RG3 never needed to develop pin-point passing skills to be successful, so they didn’t. Then you have someone like Peyton Manning, who has a fraction of the athletic ability of Newton or RG3. But, he is a successful QB because he had to hone his passing skills over the years. All the old-ish white dudes putting up numbers in the NFL over the years is proof that athleticism is not required to be a good QB.

Now, implying that black QB’s are inherently incapable of reading a defense and being a great passer is totally wrong. Take a look at Russell Wilson. He doesn’t beat defenses with his overwhelming athleticism (although he is moderately athletic). He reads the defense and makes the right throws. Another example (on a collegiate level) of a black QB who uses skills and smarts to win instead of relying on athletic ability is Blake Sims of Alabama.

Because we’re talking evolution. Not de-evolution. Jesus this is getting ridiculous. I understand that most people reading this are football fans and think black people are dumber than white people. The point of the article was that this is what you think. So please continue to make my point with your eugenics and whatever the fuck dumb racists fall back on these days, in 2014. Antiquated thoughts for your soon to be antiquated encephalopathy causing entertainment.

You profess that blacks, and by extension all races and genealogies, are inherently equal in some hypothetical vacuum. Yet, you boldly state that blacks are superior athletes, and we need to just “take a look around” to prove that fact. I really don’t understand where you draw your lines.

If blacks are inherently stronger and faster through some troubling historical circumstance, and whites are smarter and more consistent through this unfortunate process of colonization, oppression, and discrimination:

Why is it desirable to eliminate the white’s advantages, but unfathomable to negate the black’s advantages?

I get it dipshit you think blacks are dumb. That’s what racism is. Thats the point of the article.

Thanks for reading. I’ll check out Mike and Mike.

And why was Vick “benched” from his job, if not because of racism? He got hurt; Jay Cutler and Matt Schaub got hurt plenty of times and were allowed to come back to their jobs. Michael Vick is a thousand times better QB than Nick Foles, yet he doesn’t have a starting job in the NFL because of racism. That would NEVER have happened to a white quarterback with Michael Vick’s talent.

Also, the hair pulling happens as I watch, listen to or read the racist drivel by Mike&Mike in their so-called “Power Rankings”. Anybody reading those Rankings comments can’t help but see the abject racist criticisms of the black quarterbacks and the blanket cover-ups for the white quarterbacks who performed poorly in their last game or who just suck this season. Every effort is made by M&M to pull a positive comment out of their you-know-whats regarding a white quarterback’s awful performance in his last game or one who happens to be playing pretty lousily this season.

Either that OR the REALLY BIG cover up for white quarterbacks playing poorly is to just NOT mention their names at all — it’s as if they don’t play on the teams when they lose badly (i.e., it’s not Matt Ryan who’s lost every single road game this year and is not putting any points on the board in the 2nd half of games, or who is only converting 1 or 2 third downs in an entire half, it’s “the Falcon Offense”). (How do you talk about a team’s offense without ever mentioning the QB? Those “analyst” guys do it all the time).

I don’t think they mentioned Eli Manning’s name one time during the 2-3 years Eli was throwing about 15 picks a season and only about 4 touchdowns. Now that the Giants’ offense has been “dumbed down” for Eli, and he’s only throwing about 1 pick per game and is actually winning some games, they’ve started mentioning him again — always with praise, of course.

Those are just two examples of “cover ups” when it comes to white quarterbacks. There are many others. On the other side of the coin, just today I read an article CRITICIZING Russell Wilson for WINNING his game against Cam Newton and the Panthers in a “very unimpressive way”. How many times have Tom Brady and Drew Breeze just BARELY beaten bad teams in the last quarter of a game? The ESPN boys don’t criticize them when they do that; instead, they PRAISE them for “that awesome comeback,” or some such drivel. Drew Breeze got beat by the Lions a week ago; he’s also lost to Cleveland this season. The boys didn’t put him down when that happened; what they said about those losses was “Breeze needs protection”. Note that not a single one of the black quarterbacks who are struggling on “bad” teams EVER need protection, according to the ESPN boys. They’re just “bad quarterbacks” — not elite. (I always have to laugh when the ESPN boys use that word ‘elite’; it’s code for “white QB who’s winning games because he has an iron-curtain O-Line and several multi-million dollar receivers”).

It would all be hilarious if it weren’t so pathetically racist. And nobody’s talking about it except you, Matt, not even Stephen A. and some of the other suck-ups who happen to be black. Sadly, I guess all they care about is keeping their paychecks coming. Thank you for a real breath of fresh air and a lot of truth. For once, I did not feel like pulling my hair out as I read about NFL sports.

Please provide a link to your study

White people are better at thinking?

1) He is a Los Angeles liberal pussy who probably sips Zimas and plucks his eyebrows

2) Is a guilty white who secretly wants to be cuckolded by a black.

It’s hilarious to me that people can sit there and agree that maybe – just MAYBE – blacks are better and running, jumping, etc (we know this by the overwhelming evidence in the NBA and NFL). But to say that maybe, just MAYBE whitey might be better at something (like thinking) then that is racist. Makes me laugh.

Stereotypes exist for a reason, you dildo. The rest of us live in the real world. Like Eddie the Asian in the above comments. He is dead on. You are dead wrong.

P.S. Just today Geno Smith got benched because he sucks donkey balls…but he will be replaces by Vick, so that’s ok. You maroon.

Blacks are faster runners – thus end up at running back and wide receiver. This is a scientific fact having to do with blacks having more fast-twitch muscles.

Owners and coaches are playing to WIN, so why would they be “racist” and take a white QB when a black one is better? Answer: because the white one is better after all. Definitely smarter:

In a decisive recent study of sex differences in brain size, C. Davison Ankney reanalyzed well-controlled autopsy data from Cleveland, Ohio, in 1992. Based on 1,261 individuals between the ages of twenty-five and eighty, he found that, after correcting for body size, a 100-gram difference between men and women and between European-Americans and African-Americans. Men averaged 1328 grams and women 1223 grams; European-Americans averaged 1320 grams and African-Americans 1230 grams.

My own research confirmed Ankney’s results in the use of a stratified random sample of 6,325 United States Army personnel measured in 1988 for fitting helmets and uniforms. After statistically adjusting for height, weight, rank, and then sex or race, I found that men averaged 110 larger cranial capacities than women and Asian-Americans averaged about 60cm3 larger than African-Americans, with European-Americans intermediate. In this study the sex difference was larger than the race difference. Men averaged 1442cm3 and women 1332cm3 and Asian-Americans, European-Americans, and African-Americans were, respectively, 1416, 1380, and 1359cm3. Military rank differences were also found. Officers averaged larger crania (1393cm3) than enlisted personnel (1375cm3), even after correcting for body size.

Subsequently, I examined world-wide data from the International Labour Office in Geneva. Head and body size figures were available from tens of thousands of men and women sampled from twenty different regions – East and West Africa, China and Japan, and European countries like Poland, France, Portugal, and Spain. After correcting for body size, cranial capacity for men averaged 160cm3 more than women, and Asians about 70cm3 more than Africans, with Europeans intermediate.

These studies do not stand alone. Since 1980 several analyses of group differences in brain size have been published, from autopsy and endocranial measures as well as from those based on external head perimeter. Historically, brain size data going back 100 years show Asians and Europeans with larger brains than Africans. A small, but robust, relation has been firmly established between mental ability and brain size. The correlation between test scores and brain size estimated from magnetic resonance imaging ranges from 0.35 to 0.47 with an average at about 0.40, as reported by Nancy Andreasen and colleagues in 1993 in the American Journal of Psychiatry. This represents a substantial increment over correlations reported since the turn of the century between head perimeter and measures of intelligence which average about 0.20.

Brain size-IQ relationships show up early in life. In the National Collaborative Perinatal Project, 19,000 black infants had smaller head perimeters at birth than 17,000 white infants, although black babies were also shorter in stature and lighter in weight. By age seven, catch-up growth favored the black children in body size but not in head perimeter. Head perimeter at birth correlated with IQ at age seven in both the black and the white children.

Haha wow bro, you say anybody is racist if they mention the possibility that just maybe… just maybe.. white people are better QB’s than black people. (or african american, if for some reason you think black is a racist term). You got problems bro. You’re telling me that Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rogers, Andrew Luck, Tony Romo, Ben Roethlesberger, Phillip Rivers, etc.. are just products of racism causing them to be starters? No, it’s because they can throw really good an accurate. It is impossible for white people to be good at throwing the ball?

You’re a dumbass bro, and I don’t think you know jack crap about football. Go watch Glee dude, that’s probably more up your alley.

If every point guard in the NBA was white it would be worth addressing. Since positions are evenly distributed in the NBA, YOU’RE DUMB.

As for the intellect of Black Americans, I would like to know what the statistic are regarding their employment in so called intellectual fields such as Lawyers, Doctors,Scientists etc, perhaps someone over there can find out and let me know.

At this point I should admit I know little about Gridiron other than watching the occasional game on television, I am more into Rugby League, Cricket, however I have spent a great deal of my eighty three year sports coaching mostly athletics and one thing I have always said is that one day someone like Bolt Would appear and be the perfect mix to do what he’s done. I wonder if the Plantation Owner of long ago had any idea what a fine race they were developing.

Finally slow and fast twitch fibers are not confined a just certain area of the body, If you have a predominance of one or the other it will usually the same throughout the body the same applies if you have fairly even amounts.

Well I think there must be some reason for the discrepancy in positions. There’s not even one white secondary member in the entire league.

Even then, I think you are over analyzing things. I’m guessing you’re one of the people that thought RG3 should have been taken over Luck. I’m sorry, this article with NFL right in the title isn’t actually about the NFL. Its about the developmental periods. Where most players don’t make it big anyways, and therefore don’t get paychecks, and most shouldn’t expect to. Which means the ones that only advance to play in college only get a free education out of it, that a lot wouldn’t get if not for football, regardless of position.

You didn’t win anything. You’re talking about the NFL. My whole point is about discrimination as a culture at lower levels.

Don’t quote me on the exact google search

Face it Matt, I raised some great points there and won. You just needed to say something in response, I get it. But the score is Tyler 1- Matt 0. Its been a pleasure

The real racist point that you didn’t bring up is how people found this article. I think its 2-0 now. I did by googling why so many nfl players have dreadlocks

I meant more in the earlier leagues when players are being developed than the actual NFL.

People with jobs aren’t commenting.

Yeah at a Klan rally.

fuck off lurch.

I thought that was obvious from the beginning. You didn’t get it? What are you fucking stupid or something?

fuck off redneck

It’s pretty obvious you aren’t as smart as you like to imagine you are.

Wow I take issue at your ignorant use of the term “redneck”. A term used to ridicule people that have been impoverished for many years, have relied on food stamps to survive and have not been privileged enough to have good access to education. Matt you are a disgusting, hypocritical bigot.

Careful Matt your prejudice is showing

lol you really are losing it badly

Matt Ralston gets his ass kicked in a comment and responds with a “wow just wow dats raycist”

Yeah I’m sure. Very true.

The other option is that a white man in the south can spot a black guy from a hundred yards. 😉

See, that’s racist and ignorant. You don’t have muscle fibers in your brain YOU FUCKING IDIOT

Matt, you are a racist.

Matt Ralston Sep 4,2014 4:41 pm
“Because if you can run and jump higher I guarantee you can throw better.”

Man, what a dingbat you are. I believe if you can run and jump better then you have more high-twitch nerve fiber in your legs.

That does NOT mean you have it in your arms. Or in your brain.

Now back in the cage.

The South is deeply tied to a culture of racism. That’s all I meant.

Where did that come from? you yourself have some deep biases that need to be overcome. Sprinkling in cheap comedy doesn’t strengthen your argument; it cheapens it.

Matt is annoying

The “12 tribes” don’t allow that.

Matt believes it is ok to call white people “inferior”…. just not black people “inferior” …. or his tribe.

All races are equal unless Matt approves that blacks are better.

Whites CANNOT be better at anything without racism .

Blacks CAN be better than whites though….. and whites just need to accept that they are inferior.

Why do YOU think WHITES are such “INFERIOR” athletes ?

Are YOU racist ?

So you would support equal opportunity and the NFL becoming more WHITE at all other positions other than quarterback – AT THE SAME TIME we are making the “QB” position more “equal” ?

Right ?

You’ve met “rednecks” ? Have you also met any “niggers” then ? Since “rednecks” exist do “niggers” also exist too ?

Or is only ok to project negative stereotypes against certain races ?

So how does a sport (NBA) only include 10% whites when the population of that country is 72% white ?

How much do you hate white people Jason ? Tell me Jason, did you know that the African Moors about 1000 years ago enslaved white Europe ? Thats conveniently left out in history class isn’t it ?

So you are saying blacks are superior to whites….. but yet YOU are not racist ?

Matt i’m still waiting on your article about the NBA and how it is racist there is not enough white players.Also the lack of white players in the NFL at wide receiverAlso the lack of white players in the NFL at Linebacker.Also the lack of white players in the NFL at cornerback.Also the lack of white players in the NFL at safety.Why are you such a racist that you think its perfectly ok for blacks to outperform whites at certain positions but racism if whites perform better than blacks at quarterback ?

There is so much glaringly horrid reasoning here… I just… I can’t

Racism:

the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.

To clarify, racism doesn’t always pertain to a negative attribute. Saying black people are faster and jump higher is, in fact, racist. Therefore, under the true definition of what racism really is, there is technically an argument to be made for every position in the NFL that doesn’t not fit the exact percentages of the U.S. demographic. Strangely, the quarterback position is actually more proportional to the U.S. demographic than almost any other position. Your article is an argument based off of the percentages of players in the NFL in total compared to the percentages of the quarterback position in the NFL. Technically, without any racism, you should expect the demographic of the sample size to be similar to that of the overall demographic, with some obvious room for some deviation and outliers. Other people have commentated this thought that you’ve ignored, which you have scoffed and and said they are saying “stupid shit”. And you also by default of agreeing are being racist here:

Because if you can run and jump higher I guarantee you can throw better.

Other comments are obscenely racist, but you sir are also racist, even if it is in the opposite school of thought. Superior or inferior attributes, both are racist. So if you can explain to me why the NFL is predominantly African American in a country that is not without being racist then I will entertain the articles argument.

Who the fuck is We?

I wasnt born racist, but the things I see makes me into this monster you call racist! My uncle’s shop was robbed multiple times before he was shot and killed by black thugs one day. Maybe because he was this asian guy who couldnt defend himself.. Maybe cause he was too much of a nice guy to carry a gun because he didnt believe in shooting people.. Nobody cares, its just a killing, no news coverage, no riots, not racist.. Unique case!

Then one black kid (who robbed a store) gets shot and ALL of Fergason goes mad and robs each other in the name of justice! What a joke… And they called it racism!

Black people want shit handed to them on a silver plate because, “their ancestors were slaves and they deserve it from the government” Well… I’m asian, I didnt do jack shit to your ancestors, I dont owe you shit.. You know what the other kids said to me when I was a kid? “Go back to your dirty ching chong country chink!” Well, as a adult, I would like to pose the same comment with a twist, “if you dont like it here, go back to your war-torn country, nigger”

Yes, I am a racist! Without a doubt, but I have my reasons of becoming one. Insult me all you want but I just say it as I see it.

It’s pretty obvious you’re white.

Never said that Matt, Never even suggested it. In 16 years in the Long Beach and South Bay areas, none of our teams even had an anglo QB. One kid was named Viramontes, another Orosco, the rest were black. I think you are too busy reading between the lines to read what I wrote.

What I wrote was that, given the choice, the best athletes we saw coming in as freshmen, chose to go out for positions other than QB. They also favored uniform numbers of the prominent pro running backs and wideouts. (Many, back in the day, also wanted to wear neon Deion Sanders jersey #21.) Several of them were locally known as QB’s on their youth teams. The kids also seemed to enjoy reacting the end zone antics of their favorite player. (This was only done in practice as it is an infraction in Fed games.) I always took that to mean those kids viewed the originators of the end zone celebrations favorably.

FWIW, while working in the SGV we did have a few “white” Quarterbacks. They were, as a whole, no better nor no worse at either leadership skills or playing the position. They did seem, however, happier wearing jerseys numbered between 10 and 19. Go figure.

You’re kidding, right? Instead of rebutting my argument you call me a racist? Matt, I’ve been on the field with these kids, coached teams that were 70 or 80% African American. (Made darn good money doing it, too. My best stipend was almost $1300 for six or 7 months of work, maybe $1.50 an hour.) Nearly all of the starters were black, certainly the best players. My “generalizations” aren’t based upon my “attitudes” they are based on my experience and personal observations, things you don’t have.

What I did get, why I did it, was the appreciation of kids and parents, black, white, brown, you name it. They were grateful for the time and effort made by mostly volunteer coaches on their behalf. Nothing better than having a young man walk up and tell you thanks for the time you spent, maybe a decade and a half before, working on his game with him. “Thanks, Coach” is all the pay I ever needed.

Try it another way, look here at the top ranked schools in the nation at producing NFL players:
http://www.maxpreps.com/news/rtk0-D08zUqiamc4NnPQ_w/high-schools-that-have-produced-the-most-nfl-draft-picks.htm Florida, California, Texas, and a couple in what then progressives call “the flyover states”. That is where the professional talent comes from, not the Jim Crow south you pointed at. BTW, count the QB’s on the list . . . hard to find, huh?

Last point is that the phenomena of kids wanting to emulate the stars they watched on TV is in no way specific to African American kids, they all have it in them, regardless of color. Had you ever spent any time around them, you’d know that.

You just stereotyped all black athletes. Everyone involved in youth football drops racist generalizations on here and then claims they aren’t racist. In fact it’s your attitudes toward black kids which lead to this disparity in the first place. You’re all mostly proving my point but too in the dark to understand it.

You just stereotyped all black athletes. Everyone involved youth in football drops racist generalizations on here and then claims they aren’t racist. In fact it’s your attitudes toward black kids which lead to this disparity in the first place. You’re all mostly proving my point but too in the dark to understand it.

This is what you’ll hear: “They all wanted to play the positions and wear the #’s of their heroes.” Wideouts and running backs with the occasional Deion Sanders wannabe. These kids don’t aspire to be Roger Stauback or Bart Starr or Peyton Manning anymore than the want to be a backup OT. They see themselves making the flashy catch or tricky run and making defense look inept usually followed by a spike and some kind of end zone celebration. Quarterbacks don’t do those things, they just take the snap and throw the ball. If they score, they might throw a fist pump off camera and head for a sideline consultation with the coach. Boring.

This IS changing. Especially over the last 4-5 years. Read Option offenses, dual threat QB’s, have expanded enormously in college and made their way into the NFL. RG lll, Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson aren’t the first run and throw guys in the NFL but they are the hippest.

Since I too live in SoCal, I can’t speak to how coaches in Mississippi or Alabama think. I’ll leave that to guys like you; also from Los Angeles. I will say that in my experience, racism plays no part in the dearth of black HS QB’s. Player and parent expectations do.

I wouldn’t call anyone a racist for having an unpopular opinion. Some of this stuff is blatantly racist. To have the most prestigious position in a league that is mostly black be mostly white clearly has some significance that cannot be denied. Claiming the NFL is racist against whites is just silly, they are working with the talent they have and white guys are often the team figureheads, which is kind of a slave mentality.

Could be a troll, but I’ve met some serious rednecks…

tl;dr – black athletes are inherently incapable of complex thought.

What a fucking dick.

…I don’t even. Hopefully this is a caricature of a fucked up, idiotic racist sonofabitch. But this IS the internet, so…

This has got to be a parody

Jesus Christ

You have one position that has more or less the same racial split as the nation’s population as a whole. Many more that are disproportionately African American. I am not trying to argue that white men are being persecuted. I don’t see why it is surprising when a position is 70% white when the fans of the sport are probably 70% white.

I cant think of a single black kicker in the nfl, are there any?

This ignores the whole question behind the article. Why would the most important position, in charge of a team full of overwhelmingly black people, be overwhelmingly white? Clearly it’s not coming from a place of equal opportunity

I thought Richard’s second half of his post was a good point. If a white writer, blogger, or sports comintater were to bring up that point I’m sure they would be scolded for their comments.
I don’t really think that race plays an issue when choosing a quarterback at the higher levels of sports. Its all about winning because winning equals money. If the a said team doesn’t win then they will not have a strong fan base, and consequently they would not make as much money. So they will start whoever is the best fit for their system that can win.

If you’re going to say or do stupid shit what’s to stop you? Why not take your commute to work in a different direction and put a parking come on your head?