McNabb says black QB's are criticized more

[tonyr0802]

Could it be that QB's needing criticism get criticized more than those who don't need criticism

 

I'm sure it all goes back to skin color somehow though

 

Link

McNabb tells HBO that race is an issue at QB position

 

Donovan McNabb says African-American quarterbacks are perceived differently than white quarterbacks in a wide-ranging interview that will air tonight on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel."

 

In the conversation, which will be shown at 10 o'clock, McNabb also talks about the pressure of being the quarterback in this city and what it takes to tick him off. The interview was taped Aug. 31, an HBO spokesman said.

 

At one point, interviewer James Brown asks McNabb about how people perceive him as a quarterback, alluding to the lack of African-Americans at the position because some people thought "they weren't smart enough."

 

"There's not that many African-American quarterbacks, so we have to do a little bit extra," McNabb says.

 

When pressed by Brown, McNabb continues, "Because the percentage of us playing this position, which people didn't want us to play this position, is low, so we do a little extra."

 

Brown later pushes on with the race issue after McNabb talks about people's reactions to his play.

 

"I pass for 300 yards, our team wins by seven, [mimicking] 'Ah, he couldn've made this throw, they would have scored if he did this,' " McNabb explains.

 

Brown then asks, "Doesn't every quarterback go through that?" McNabb says flatly, "Not everybody."

 

Brown ponders if the media is as tough on Carson Palmer or Peyton Manning, or if they are more harsh on McNabb because he's an African-American.

 

"Let me start by saying I love those guys," McNabb says with a smile. "But they don't get criticized as much as we do. They don't."

 

The interview begins with McNabb speaking about his time here in Philly.

 

"Every year I'm part of some criticism," McNabb says with a chuckle. "But every day that we go through life, you're faced with a lot of adversity. Now the answer is how do you handle the adversity. How do you respond?

 

"I try to handle myself with class. I try to handle myself with dignity. I think sometimes people look to players to act out, speak loudly, pretty much be an idiot. But that's not me."

 

The piece dives into McNabb as a child growing up first in Chicago, then in the mostly white suburb of Dolton, Ill. McNabb's parents, Sam and Wilma, talk of how they raised their sons to always try to do the right thing and to be leaders, not followers. McNabb talks of his struggles with bullies in the neighborhood, admitting to getting into a few fights. Brown then asked what pushes McNabb's buttons now.

 

"If you put your hands on me, I've got something for you," McNabb seriously proclaims. "You can talk all you want to. If you continue to try me, then we've got a problem." *

 

- Bob Cooney

[Sturphy]

Yeah, this reeks of an absurd deflection to me. He's in crisis. He's still coming off the injury, 2nd rounder waiting in the wings for his gig, can't hit his targets, 0-2, and Iggles fans are relentless.

 

It just sucks that he'd resort to this. I've always liked McNabb, but this is a knee jerk reaction.

[Bill Swerski]

I think that there's some truth to what he's saying, although him using Peyton to support his point is absurd. The pro-Patriots East Coast media gave him the "choke" label for years.

 

ETA: What a shocker to see the race card being used on Bryant Gumbel's show.

Edited September 18, 2007 by Bill Swerski

[Big Score 1]

Who was asking the questions?

Who kept the interview focused on the race angle, if the interview started straying from that topic?

 

Sounds to me like it's Brown with the agenda here, not McNabb.

[tbimm]

Has he ever heard of a guy named Grossman?

[Caveman_Nick]

I think that there's some truth to what he's saying, although him using Peyton to support his point is absurd. The pro-Patriots East Coast media gave him the "choke" label for years.

 

 

Yeah.....or it could be that Peyton Manning doesn't get criticized as much because he is the best player in the game, and one of the if not possibly the best ever. The Colts offense is certianly the best I have ever seen.

[tonyr0802]

Who was asking the questions?

Who kept the interview focused on the race angle, if the interview started straying from that topic?

 

Sounds to me like it's Brown with the agenda here, not McNabb.

 

You don't think he was aware of the questions before the interview? Isn't that standard practice? Even if not, he didn't have to answer them if he didn't want too. Through his answers I think it's obvious he feels this way.

[cre8tiff]

I think that there's some truth to what he's saying, although him using Peyton to support his point is absurd. The pro-Patriots East Coast media gave him the "choke" label for years.

 

ETA: What a shocker to see the race card being used on Bryant Gumbel's show.

 

I also agree there is some truth to what he is saying. I think that when folks see a black quarterback, they expect him to be a runner, with passing secondary. A black pure pocket passer will go up against that stereotype and possibly get more criticism. It might be tied into the stereotype that black players are more physically gifted than white.

 

Of course I'm white and non-athletic. What do I know?

[Caveman_Nick]

Has he ever heard of a guy named Grossman?

 

Or Matt "Mr August" Hasselback, Drew Bledsoe, Jake Plummer, Dan "No Rings" Marino, and I am sure many more QBs that were on top from at least a winning percentage perspective or a statistical perspective for a long time, but were constantly beat up by the media.

 

Who the heck is McNabb kidding? He might get criticized by the local media, but most players do. He gets regularly fellated by the national media.

[LooGie]

I would agree with him somewhat. The public will consider black QBs a bit less QB-esque because they are usually runners too, so of course, "will never be the pocket passer like Elway or Manning" or some such nonsense.

 

And when they aren't runners (Leftwich, and um...and some others) they'll never be as good as Elway or Manning or Brady (not because of race, but because, no one will for years to come) as pocket passers. It's a double edged sword for black QBs. From Cunningham, Culpepper, (um..that one Steelers QB..his name slips me...) Vick, V. Young...you get the idea.

[kpholmes]

I think we also have to keep in mind the Philly fans are going to be much harder on their QB than any other town would be, regardless of race.

[PatrickL]

not to mention Philly fans watched him completely be outplayed by Mr. Garcia a year ago. They want GArcia back and who can blame them after the way he played.

[Bill Swerski]

I also agree there is some truth to what he is saying. I think that when folks see a black quarterback, they expect him to be a runner, with passing secondary. A black pure pocket passer will go up against that stereotype and possibly get more criticism. It might be tied into the stereotype that black players are more physically gifted than white.

 

I agree that it's part of the problem. But what hurts even more is the impression that black athletes are thugs with bad attitudes and it really doesn't help to have guys like Vick and, more recently, Vince Young acting like asstards in the spotlight. The league needs more guys like Donovan and Doug Williams. And I find it sad that Donovan decided to go this route. He REALLY needs to get out of Philly.

 

And I find it hilarious that Bryant Gumbel, who constantly whines about whitey keeping his people down, thinks that he has any credibility talking about race on his show. It's painfully obvious that he's massively bigoted himself.

[alexgaddis]

 

<--------McNabb

[Big Score 1]

You don't think he was aware of the questions before the interview? Isn't that standard practice? Even if not, he didn't have to answer them if he didn't want too. Through his answers I think it's obvious he feels this way.

Regardless of whether or not Mcnabb knew what the questions were going to be beforehand, unless he scripted the interview questions himself & told Brown what to ask him, it's patently obvious who was pushing the race agenda in that interview.

[ebartender]

Dude, just shut up and play. If yuou are hurt and it is costing the team then man up and admit it so the coach can sit you until you are healthy. McNabb has been crying a lot through the media in the last few years it seems.

[Uncle Wiggy]

Try being the Manning NOT named Peyton.

[Easy n Dirty]

Yeah, this reeks of an absurd deflection to me. He's in crisis. He's still coming off the injury, 2nd rounder waiting in the wings for his gig, can't hit his targets, 0-2, and Iggles fans are relentless.

 

It just sucks that he'd resort to this. I've always liked McNabb, but this is a knee jerk reaction.

 

FWIW, it says the interview took place August 31, well before he and his Eagles were 0-2.

[Sturphy]

FWIW, it says the interview took place August 31, well before he and his Eagles were 0-2.

 

My bad. I guess that means half my argument is moot. Ah well...I still don't think he's right.

[Bronco Billy]

What a Rosie O'Donnell.

 

Jesus Christ could play QB in PHI & he'd get raked over the coals regularly by locals.

 

Overall McNabb pretty much gets a pass nationally despite often mediocre play. As someone previously mentioned, Garcia ran with the same team last year & did a hell of a lot more with it than McNabb did when healthy.

 

We could put up a huge list of white QBs who have been derided a lot more thah NcNabb has been. He needs to hitch up his big girl panties & get the job done, or find a profession that isn't quite as hard on his delicate ego. Where exactly does he think throwing out the race card while whining is going to get him?

[STL Fan]

You don't think he was aware of the questions before the interview? Isn't that standard practice? Even if not, he didn't have to answer them if he didn't want too. Through his answers I think it's obvious he feels this way.

 

Good God, no! Anyone who would give a list of questions to a person about to be interviewed is a worthless hack. Even if the person says a subject is off limits, you still have to ask and make them say that on the record. I know sports "journalism" isn't quite held to the same standard as the regular media, I still don't think any legit interviewer woud ever submit questions to an interview subject.

Edited September 18, 2007 by STL Fan

[PantherDave]

It remains an "issue" because McNabb and his ilk keep bringing it up. As mentioned Grossman...Delhomme...Eli and I could go on, heck, even Brees is gettiing some flack right about now. Seems the only people continuosly playing the "race" card is the "race" in question. How about doing something and working hard on your own merits???

[tonyr0802]

Good God, no! Anyone who would give a list of questions to a person about to be interviewed is a worthless hack. Even if the person says a subject is off limits, you still have to ask and make them say that on the record. I know sports "journalism" isn't quite held to the same standard as the regular media, I still don't think any legit interviewer woud ever submit questions to an interview subject.

 

Ok, regardless of this point McNabb certainly has the right to not answer a question. He chose to answer and through his answers we can see how he feels on the subject.

[cre8tiff]

It remains an "issue" because McNabb and his ilk keep bringing it up. As mentioned Grossman...Delhomme...Eli and I could go on, heck, even Brees is gettiing some flack right about now. Seems the only people continuosly playing the "race" card is the "race" in question. How about doing something and working hard on your own merits???

Oh, I see. "ilk" is what the brothers are now.

 

Honkeylips.

[tonyr0802]

It remains an "issue" because McNabb and his ilk keep bringing it up. As mentioned Grossman...Delhomme...Eli and I could go on, heck, even Brees is gettiing some flack right about now. Seems the only people continuosly playing the "race" card is the "race" in question. How about doing something and working hard on your own merits???

+1